Rig- Veda Sanhita
A Collection of
ANCIENT HINDU HYMNS
OF THE RIG-VEDA
The Oldest Authority on the Religious and Social
INSTITUTIONS OF THE HINDUS
Vol. VI
The Sixth & Part of Seventh Ashtakas
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL SANSKRIT
H.H. WILSON, M.A., F.R.S.
Boden Professor of Sanskrit, in the University of Oxford
Edited By
E.B. COWELL, M.A.
AND
W.F. WEBSTER, M.A.
COSMO PUBLICATIONS
NEW DELHI
INDIA
COSMO PUBLICATIONS
24-B» ANSARI ROAD, NEW DELHI- 110002.
FIRST PUBLISHED 1888
FIRST COSMO REPRINT 1977
PEEFAOE
I pxmusHED, ia 1866, the fourth volume of the
late Professor Wilson’s translation of the Rig-Veda,
Tvhich professed to follow mainly the interpretation
of the Hindu Commentator Sdyana. The printing
of the fifth volume was soon afterwards commenced ,
hut it was stopped by the discovery that the ori-
ginal MS. of the translation ended abruptly in the
middle of the 44th hymn of the eighth Mandala,
and that although there was a more or less com-
plete translation of the tenth Mandala, only rough
notes remained of that of the ninth. I subsequently
completed the translation of the eighth Mandala
independently, mad it was printed; but my engage-
ments at that time, in connection with my duties
as Professor of Sanskrit in the University of Cam-
bridge, rendered it impossible for me to continue
the work ; more especially as the original MS. of the
translation of the ninth Mapdala was in a very
imperfect state, and required a great deal of careful
revision, before it could be sent to press. A long
VI
PREFACE,
interval elapsed during which the translation lay in
abeyance; but Messrs. Triibner & Co. were always
anxious to have it completed, and Mr. Nicholas
Triibner retained to the last his earnest interest in
the work. At last, my friend and old Cambridge
pupil, Mr. W. F. "Webster, _ tmdertook to carry on
and complete the interrupted task. He has con-
tinued the editing of the fifth volume, which is now
published after its long suspension. He has care-
fully corrected Professor Wilson’s translation of the
ninth Matidala with which this volume ends; the
sixth and last volume, comprising the translation of
the tenth Mandala, is in the press. I have ventured
to add a trauslation of the Talakhilya hymns, forming
Appendix I. of this volume ; they were not con-
tained in Prof. Wilson’s MS. translation, nor does
Sayana give any commentary on them.
The aim of this translation, as I have said, is to
represent the traditional interpretation of the Rig-
Teda as given by Sayana, and consequently but
little attention is paid to the views of modern
scholars. This work does not pretend to give a
complete translation of the Rig-Yeda, but only a
faithful image of that particular phase of its inter-
pretation which the mediaeval Hindus, as represented
by Sayana, have preserved. This view is in itself
interesting and of an historical value ; but far wider
and deeper study is needed to pierce to the real
PEEPACE.
VU
meaning of these old hymns. Saya^a’s commentary
will always retain a value of its own, — even its
mistakes are often interesting, — but his explanations
must not for a moment bar the progress of scholar-
ship. We can he thankful to him for any real
help; but let us not forget the debt which we owe
to modern scholars, especially to those, of Germany.
The great St. Petersburg Dictionary (the sixth and
seventh volumes of which appeared since the fourth
volume of this translation was published) is indeed
a monument of triumphant erudition, and it has
inaugurated a new era in the interpretation of the
Rig- Veda.
E. B. COWELL.
Cambeidge, March Vlth, 1888 .
BIG-VEDA SANHITA.
SIXTH ASHTAEA.
SEGOI^B AJDBJXYA.
MANPALA VIIL CoNXiNtTED.
A^VYAKA IT.
StfjETA L (XXI.)
The deity is Ikbea, except m- the last two verses, in which the
liberelity of Cbzeea is praised ; the MsM is Sobkaei, of the
family of Xakwa : the metre of the odd verses is Kukulh^ of
the even SaiolrihatL
1, Unpreoeded^ Iotea, oherislimg thee (with sacri- Targa i
ficial foodjj desiroES of thy protection, we invoke
thee who art manifold, in battle, as (men call upon)
some stout (person for help).^
^ Vdje chitramf aangrdme mvidharii^am ; the printed Sdman^.
L 408 [I. 5. 1. 2. 10 ; II. 1. .1. 22. L] (Eenfey), reads vqfrin^
“thnnderer,” for vdje. — YatM vrihyMihhir griham pitmyanto
hnd mnmishaye stlMam gunddhiham hanehit mdmdam dhwayanti^
as people filling a house with rice and the like call upon some
stout, liberal man for food/’ is the commentator’s amplification
of the last clause.
^ Ap'krvya is esp>lained ‘‘new,” i.e. ever new at the three
oblations.
VOL. V.
B
2
EIQ-VEBA SAITHITl.
2. We haye recourse-, Indea, to thee for protection
at sacred rites : may he who is ever young, fierce,
resolute, come to us ! We, thy friends, Indea, rely
upon thee as our protector ap.d benefactor.^
3. Lord of horses, of cattle, of corn-land, these
libations (are for thee); come, lord of the Soma,
drink the effused Soma juice.
4. Intelligent, but destitute of kin,* let us con-
nect ourselves, Indea, with thee, who aboundest
with kinsmen: come, sbowerer (of benefits), with
all thy glories, to drink the Soma.
6. Gathering like (a flock of) birds round thy
exhilarating heaven-bestowing Soma beverage mixed
with curds, we r^eatedly glorify thee, Indea.®
Varga II. 6. We salute thee with this adoration: why dost
thou so oft meditate (upon our requests) ? master of
bay steeds, let our desires be granted. Thou art
their bestower, we are thy (suppliants), and our
sacred rites are (addressed to thee).
7. We verily''are the most recent (obj’ects) of thy
protection, Indea, wielder of the thunderbolt; we
have not known of old one greater than thou.f
8. We acknowledge, hero, thy friendship, (the
’ S£ma Veda, II. 59 [II. 1. 1. 22. 2].
“ Ibid. I. 40? [1. 5. 1 . 2 . 9]. Vivahihane is explained, by S^yapa
swargapr&pamskh, “causing to obtain swarga."
* Or rather, “we thy worshippers (v^rdaah), destitute of kin.”
t Sayana seems to render this latter clause “we knew thee
not formerly as the mighty one (but now we know thee).”
SIXTH XSHTAXA — SECOND ADHtITA. 3
■wealth.) to be enjoyed through, thee, and solicit l^oth,
thunderer, of thee : giver of dwellings, Indra of the
handsome jaws, sustain us in all abundance and in
(store of) cattle.
9. I glorify, friends, for your protection, that Indra
who has brought to us of old this or that excellent
(wealth).^
10. That man glorifies Indra, the lord of bay
steeds, the protector of the good, the overcomer of
enemies, who rejoices (in the fulfilment of his wishes):
may Maohatan bestow upon us, his worshippers,
hundreds of cattle and horses.
11. With thee, showerer (of benefits), for our ally, Varga iii.
we bid defiance to one assailing us in a contest (on
behalf) of a man possessing herds of cattle.*
12. Indra, invoked of many, may we conquer in
battle those contending against us ; may- we resist the
malignant; may we, aided by the leaders (of rites, f
the Maruts), slay Vritra ; may we be prosperous,
and do thou protect our pious works.
13. Thou, Indra, art by thy birth brotherless:
from ever art thou ■without a kinsman: the kindred
thou desirest is (that of him) who engages in war.®
* S^ma Veda, 1. 400 [I. 5. 1. 2. 2].
* Ibid. I. 399 [L 5. 1. 2. 1 ; II. 6. 2. 4. 1]. [Saya^a renders
this verse thus, “ Thou, Indra^ by thy birth art firom eternity
^ Sdma Veda, I. 5. 1. 2. 5.
f Sayana explains nrthhih as “wielders of weapons,’^ dyu^
dhaneiribhihy and vritra as ‘‘ the enemy/’
4
£ia>TI!Di. SAiranX.
14. Ttion aclmdwledgest no friendship for the
wealtny man (whn makes no offerings) ; those "yrho
are puffed up with wine^ offend thee: when thou
institatest(the saorifiee), thoaexp6llest niggardliness,
and thou art invoked as a |)roteotor.**
Il5. Let us not, like fools, iNDnA, he regardless
of the friendship of such as thou art;* let , us
assemble together when the libation is effused.
•without a foe, witl^out a controller, without a kinsinan; thou
desirest to show thy kinsmanship only by war,” Le4 it is only hy
fighting that thou art the Mend of thy worshippers-]
1 Surdswahf mrayd vriMMh pramatt4K intoxicated; of
ndstiMh, Atheists. !For the second line, /beginning Tadd hn^
noBhi nadamm aamiJiasiy the printed edition gives no commen-
tary. One MS*, reads (hut no doubt from some interpolator’s
hand)', Yadi mdnmasya ddnddirdhityam saniiihasi nirdkardsl^i
yashtritwam karoshi, ^'when thou expellest the neglect of" gifts
of a man, thou makest the sacrificing;” but the construction
ir questionable. [Ihe verse occurs in Sdma Yeda, II. 6. 2, 4. 2 ;
and Sdyapa there explains the clause, Yadd Tcrimshi nadamm
^amhhoBij, ‘‘when thou utterest the inarticulate sound of approba-
tion (to the worshipper, implying, ‘He is mine’), thou bringest
him (wealth).” See Benfey’s translation, note. Professor Muller
thus translates the whole verse. Ancient Sanskrit Lit. p. 542,
“ Thou never findest a rich man to be thy friend ; wine-swillers
despise^ thee ; but when thou thunderest, when thou gatherest
(the clouds), then thou art called like a father.”]
*^Or, “as a father,” piid iva.
* Sdyapa interprets this, “ Let not us who are thine, Indra,
' he desolate as those who are ignorant of the friendship of such
as thou art,” md ie amdjuro yathd miirdsa indra sahhye iwdvatah*
He explains amdjurdh as yfihai^ putraih pautrair dhanddilhischa
sahaJfr^dA;
SIXTH ASHTiXl — SECOND ADHTATA.
5
16. Let us never, Indea, giver of cattle, cease (to Varga iv,
benefit) from tby wealth ; let us not accept it (from
anoflxer than) thee:* do thou, who art the lord,
corifixm to us permanent (riches), bestow them upon
us ; thy benefactions cannot be arrested.
17. Is it Indea who has given to the donor (of the
oblation) so much aflBluenoe? is it the auspicious
SAeaswati (who has given) the treasure ? or, Chitea,
is it thou?,
18. Yerily the Raja Ceeitea, giving his thousands
and tens of thousands, has overspread (with hiS
bounty) those other petty princes, who rule along
the SaeaswatI, as Paejanva (overspreads the earth)
with rain.
SOkta II. (XXII.-)
The '^deities are the Asmisrs; the is as before : the metre
of the first, third, fifth, and seventh verses is Brihatk ; of the
second, fourth, and* sixth, Satoirihaii; of the eighth,
tiihh ; of the ninth and tenth, Jyotish ; then, come four JTd-
hudha Fragdthas.
1. I invoke*to-day for our protection that splendid Varga v.
chariot, which, adorable Aswins, advancing on the
path to battle, t you ascended (to go to the wedding)
of SiJeyI.
2. Celebrate, Sobhaei, with praises (that chariot),
the benefactor of former (encomiasts), the worthily
‘ ^ S^ana explains (e, as4n the previous verse, myam Urn
Bwabhiitdhf who are thine.’^
I Mudravart&ni^ explained as '^having a path which causes
weening in battle,’’ or whose paths are praised-”
6
EIG-TEDA SANHITi.
inToked, the desired of many, the preserver, the fore-
most in battles, the relied upon by aU, the scatterer
of enemies, the exempt from ill.
B.. We incite by our adorations on this occasion
the two divine Aswins, the overcomers of foes, that
they may come down for our protection and proceed
to the dwelling of the donor (of the offering).
d. One of the wheels of your car moves in every
direction ; the other, impellers of actions,^ remains
with you: may your favour, lords of rain, hasten
towards us as a cow (to her calf) I
5. Tour celebrated chariot, Aswins, that is three-
banked,* and caparisoned with gold, graces heaven
and earth: come with it, NAsatyas.
Varga VI. Bestowing upon Manxi the ancient (rain) from
the firmament, you enabled him to cultivate (the
soil) with the plough (and reap) the barley : ^ now
therefore, AsIvins, lords of rain, we glorify you both
with praises.
^ Trmd is explained antarydmitayd prerahau, '^nrgers, or
impeEers, by tbe property of internal influenoe or conscience ; ’’
or it may mean uddkasya prerayiidrau^ ‘^senders of water or
rain.” [For tlie two wheels, see vol. i. p. 78.]
* The text has yavam vrihem harshathah^ ‘‘yontOl with the
plough, barley.”
^ S^yana explains trimndkura as ‘‘having three seats,” or
“ having two poles, and a bar between them for fastening the
harness,” vandfiura being sdrathi-Bthdnam, or dwe ishe tanmadhy&
m^jmc^andrthaho dandah.
SIXTH ASHTAXA. — SECOND ADHtIya. 7
7. Eich in food, Aswins, come to us by tbe paths
of sacrifice, those by which, showerers (of benefits),
you went to gratify Teikshi, the son of Teasadasxij,
with vast wealth.
8. Leaders (of rites), affluent in rain, this Soma
has been expressed by the (grinding) stones for you ;
come to drinh the Soma, drink it in the dwelling of
the donor.
9. Aswins, who are rich in rain, ascend your
golden chariot, a storehouse (of weapons) ; bring to
us fattening* food.
10. "With those protections with which you have
defended Pakiha, Adheigit, and Bashed, when pro-
pitiating you, come to us, Aswins, quickly ; admi-
nister medi(^e to the sick.
11 . At the time when hurrying, devout, we invoke Varga vii.
you both speedily going to battle, at the dawn of
day, with our hymns, ^ —
12. Then, showerers, come to my manifold all-
propitiating invocation with those (protections), with
which, leaders (of rites), you, who are gratified (by
oblations), munificent (in gifts), and the overcomers
^ The terms are unusual — ydd adhrigdvo adhrigii hgfsdmahe.
The first is explained, karmasu twammdndh, ‘‘hastening to acts
of worship;” the second, satruladhdrtkam aangrdme iwmragd
gacchmtau; adkrigu being explained etymologically adhrita-
gcmana^ “ whose going is unwithheld.”
^ according to Sdyanaj “purifying,” or “stout;”
pdmyitrini sthiiddm m {anndnt).
8
Bia-TEbA fiASTHITi.
of niimerotis (foea), gave augmentation lo me 'well
with such (protections) come hither.
18. I address the Aswins, glorifying them at
hi^eak of day ; we solicit them with, ohlatabns.
14. We adore those lords of water, leaders on the
road of battle,* in the evening, at dawn, and at mid-
day; therefore,. Eudeas who are rich in food, give us
not up hereafter to a mortal adversary.
16. Adorable Aswins, bring in your chariot at
early dawn happiness to me, soliciting happiness:
I, SoBHAEi, invoke you as (did my) father.
Vaigavm. 16. (Aswnsrs), who are swift as thought, fhe
showerers (of benefits), prostrators of the arrogant,
the givers of enjoyment to many, be ever nigh
auto us, for our security, with many and prompt
protections.
17. Aswxers, of goodly aspect, leaders (of rites),-
deep drinkers of the juice, come to our dwelling,
abounding with horses, with cattle, with gold.
18. May we obtain from you (wealth) sponta-
neously bestowed, comprising excellent strength,
such as is desired by all, and unassailable by ar
powerful (foe) : may we obtain -from you who are
rich inv^food, upon your coming hither, all good
things.
^ See voL i. p. 289, note a, [The Aswim miraculously fOled
the with water, and so rescued Vmdanal]
^ Mudravo/rtanii see suprd on t. L
SIXTH ASHTAKi-— SECOND ADHTITA.
9
sdKTA m. (rmi
The deity is Aam; the ^ishi is Vi^wakaitas, the son of
Tta^wa: the metre is Ushnih.
1. Adore Mm who resists^ (our foes), woraMp JIta- varga
TEDAs the diffuser of smoke, of unobstructed radiance.
2 . Commend with praise, all-beholdmg ViswAma-
NAs, that Agni, who is the giver of chariots to “the
nnenyious (worsMpper).
3. The repeller (of foes), the glorified by hymns,
arrests the food and drink, and the bearer of ob-
lations takes away the wealth (of those) of whom he
foreknows^ (the neglect of sacrifices).
4. The imperishable lustre rises of that Agni, who
is radiant, bright with blazing teeth, resplendent,
and glorious amidst troops (of worshippers).*
^ Fratkvyamj satrusJiu ^ratigamana-silam agnim; Agni, wlio
lias tlie property of going against enemies. Sama Yeda, 1. 102
[L 2. 1. 1. 7].
^ Ujpmidd vindate msu is all tlie tezt has. The scholiast
explains the first by upmedanenaj by proximate knowing, that
is, eU havyishi dhdrtJiam na prayachchhaniUyetajjndnma teshdm
ma dhanam laVhate^ These do not give oblations to the gods;”
by this knowledge he takes their wealth. [Sayana ^ems to
understand the latter part, those non-sacrificers, whose food
and its juices he arrests (sc. as npt digesting them?), their
wealth, too, he takes away by his divine knowledge (of their
guilt).”]
Gamsriyah is explained by Sayana ** who visits troops of
worshippers to take their oblations.”
10
EIG-VEDA. SANHITl.
5. Eise tip tyitli celestial splendour, thou who art
radiant with great and present lustre, who art
worthily worshipped and glorified.
Varga X. 0. Proceed, Agni, with pious praise's, offering in
due ordeir the oblations (to the gods), for thou art
their messenger, the hearer of oblations.
7. I invoke for you, (worshippers), Aqni, the
ancient ministrant priest of men ; I praise him with
this hymn, I glorify him for you.
8. (Worship him who is) of wondrous works,
who, gladdened (by offerings), is present Eke a
friend, whom (the priests) by their sacrifices, ac-
cording to their power, render propitious to the
worshipper.
9. Pious worshippers, at the place of offerings
adore^ with praise him who is gratified by worship,
the completer of the sacrifice.
10. Let our sacrificers,* prepared (with their im-
plements), present themselves before the chief of
the AngirasUs, who is the most renowned offerer of
oblations amongst men.
Varga xi. H. These thy vast blazing flames, undecaying
Agni, are most powerful, vigorous as horses.
^ Tiie text has jujushuh^ ‘‘they have adored;'^ but the
scholiast renders it updsevadhwam^ expressly stating that the
first (the third) person is here put for the second, madhyama^pu-
ruBhasya prathamapwrmhddesah.
* -Or “ sacrifices,^’ yajndh.
SIXTH ASHTAKA, — SEC03ST) ADHYITA.
11
12. Do thou, who art the lord of food, give us
riches, with male offspring: defend us,, with our
sons and grandsons, in battles.*
IS. When-AoNi, the lord of men, is sharpened
(by sacrifice), and, well pleased, is present in the
abode of. a man, he verily defends it against all evil
spirits.^
14. Hero, Aqni, lord of men, hearing this my
present praise, consume the guileful Bdhshasas by
thy flames.®
15. Ho hostile mortal shall have power by fraud
oyer him who by the (sacred) offerers of the oblation
presents (offerings) to Agni.*
.16. I’he Bishi Yyaswa, desirous (of propitiating) Varga xii.
the showerer (of rain), has gratified thee, the be-
stower of wealth; so we too kindle thee for (the
acquirement of) ample riches.
17. XJsANAS, the son of Kavi, has established thee,
JlTAVBDAS, as the ministrant priest, thee as the
offerer of sacrifice, for Mantt.
18. All the consentient gods have made thee their
.messenger ; mayest thou, divine Agni, who art the
* Santa Veda, 1. 114 [I. 2. 1. 2. 8].
® Hid. I. 106 [I. 2. 1. 1. 10].
* Hid. 1. 104 [I. 2. 1. 1. 8].
* Or, as Saya^a seems to say, “defend onr -vrealth, con-
sisting in sons and grandsons, and wliat has to be guarded in
battles.”
12 pG-TBDA BASmui.
first (of the deities), quickly become the object of
their worship.*
19. The pious mortal has appointed this immortal,
purifying, dark-moving, mighty (Agni), his niies-
senger.
20. Let us with uplifted ladles invoke him, the
brilliant, bright-shining, undecaying, ancient Agni,
who is to be adored by men.
YM«a XIII. 21. The man who by the (holy) presenters of
oblations makes offerings to him, receives (from
Agni) ample nourishment, with male progeny, and
fame.
22. The ladle charged with the oblation proceeds
with reverence f at sacrifices to the ancient Agni, the
first (of the gods), the cognizant of all that exists.
23. Let us, like Vtaswa, glorify the brilliant
Agni with these excellent and most pious praises.
24. Rishi, son of Ytaswa, adore the far-spreading
domestic Agni, with praises, like SrafinATfipA.^
25. Pious men glorify the ancient Agni, the guest
of men, the son of the trees, for protection.
Varga XIV. 26. Sit down, Agni, on the sacred grass, in the
presence of all those worshippers diligent (in pious
works, induced) by their veneration (to accept) the
oblations of men.
* Said to bo the name of a JRishi.
♦ S&yana eeems to take it, “ mayest -thou quickly become
•worthy of the sacrifice, (as bearing our oblations to thein).'”
t ,Or, “ with the hymn,” eteirei^ mmoMrt^a t>d.
SIXTH ASHtAKA — SECOND ADHTIyA. 13
27 . Grant us (Agni) many desirable (things),
grant us riches envied by many, (comprehending)
vigour, offspring, fame.
28. Agnx, (who art) the desired of all, the humbler
(of foes), the youngest (of the gods), ever bestow
riches upon the tranquil and constant man.^
29. Thou verily art a liberal benefactor : bestow
upon us, Agni, food, with cattle, and the gift of
abundant riches.
30. Thou, Agni, art renowned ; bring hither t he
veracious, the purely vigorous, the resnlendent deities
Mitra and Vaeitna.®
stfKTA rv. (xxiY.)
The deity is IirnuA, except in the last triplet, which celebrates
the munificence of JRdja YAntr, the son of SnsHiMArr ; the
is Yaiytaswa, or the son of Yya^wa : * the metre is
UhJinih, except in the last Terse, which is Anushtubh.
1. Let us earnestly, Mends, address our prayer to varga xv.
^ Sushdmne saswate jandya ; solhanasdmamte hahave prddur^
Ihiitdya stotrindm, is all the explanation, except that to the first
is added tma prmdddty ‘'who enjoys tranquillity from thy
{Agnih) favour/’ [Sayana may intend to explain the words as
meaning “ upon the various reciters of excellent hynma.” The
Gam-ratm-miskhodadM explains sushdman as sohkanam sdma
priyavachanam yasya (cf. Pdn. 8. 3. 98). In v. 28 of the next,
hymn, susMman is the name of a king,]
* This, according to Sayana, intimates the -ordinary association
of these two deities with Agni at sacrifices.
* i.e. VtswamanaSf as in the preceding hvmn • see v *7
14 EIG-VEDA SAJTHITl.
Indea; the wielder of the thunderbolt; for you I
praise the chief leader (in battles), the resolute
(opposer of foes).*
2. Thou art renowned J^r strength ; from the
slaying of Vbitea, thou art (famed as) VumtAHAsr :
thou surpassest, hero, the opulent in the donation of
thy riches.
3. Praised by us, bestow upon us riches of won-
derful variety ; thou, the lord of steeds, who, at the
issue (of thy weapons)^ puttest thine enemies to
flight, art the donor (of treasures).
4. Burst open to thy worshippers, Indea, the
highly-prized wealth : glorifled by us, do thou who
art endowed with resolution, bring (us wealth) with
a resolute (mind).
5. Lord of steeds, in the recovery of the cattle the
opponents resist not thy left hand nor thy right, thy
enemies (resist thee) not.
Varga XVI. 6. I approach thee, thunderer, with praises, as (a
cowherd goes) with cattle to the pasture; gratify
the desire, satisfy the mind of thine adorer.
7. Fierce destroyer of Tritra, bringer (of wealth
to thy worshippers), subduer of enemies, preside
over all (the offerings) of us,* Yiswamaiias, with a
(favourable) mind.
' Sama Veda, I. 390 [I. 4. 2. 5. 10].
» Nireke chid mmh is the text ; the schoKast explains it tav&-
yudhanirgnman&d eva satravah paldymte.
' * Sayava explains nah for mama, &6p^jdydm iahtwaehanam.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SECOITD ADHTITA. 16
8. May we, hero, slayer of Veuba, ioToked of
many, become possessed of this thy new, desirable,
and happiness-producing wealth.
9. As, I’TOEA, inspiref ^ (of men), thy strength is
irresistible, (so) invoked of many, thy munificence
to the donor (of oblations) cannot be marred.
10. Most adorable, chief leader (of men), invi-
gorate (thyself with the Soma) for (the conquest of)
great wealth : consume, Maghavast, the strong (cities
of the' Asuras) for the rich spoil.
11. Wielder of the thmiderbolt, our solicitations varga xvii.
have been formerly addressed to other gods than
thee : give us, Maghavan, of thy (spoil, and guard
it) for us with (thy) protections.
^12. Yerily, impeller (of men), who art to be wor-
shipped by praise, I apply to no other than thee for
sustenance, riches, reputation, and strength.
13. Effuse^ the Soma juice for Iitora, let him
quaff the Soma beverage ; he by his might rewards
(the donor) with wealth.*
The attributive ' is Nrito, voc. of Nritu, daucer, or who
causes to dance, t.e, agitator, exciter, from Indra^s faculty of
internal impulse in all beings, sarmsya antarydmitayd narta-
yitah : cf. suprd, p. 6, note
* Sama Yeda, 1. 386 [1. 4. 2. 5. 6 5 II. 7. 1. 8. 1]. The printed
edition reads rddMnsi ' chodayate, for the rddhasd ckodaydU of
the Yeda text.
^ Sayana explains the construction, swamahattwenaiva amma
saha dhanddiham etotrihhyah prakarshem chodayat% he by his
might abundantly sends to his worshippers wealth with food.’’
16
ma-VEBA SANHITl.
14. Let me address the lord of steeds, who asso-
ciates his strength (with the Maexjts) : now hear thd
words of the son of Vyaswa praising thee.^
15. No one, Indea, has ever been born more
mighty than thou ; no one (surpassing thee) in
riches; no one (more powerful) in protection; no
one (more entitled) to praise.*
Varga XVIII. 16. Pour out,* priest, the most exhilarating
(draught) of the sweet (sacrificial) beverage, for he,
the ever-mighty hero, alone is praised.*
17. Indea, ruler of horses, no one surpasses thine
ancient praise, either for force or for fame.j’
18. Desirous of food, we invoke your lord of
viands, who is to be magnified by sacrifices (offered)
by attentive J (worshippers).
19. Come, friends, let us glorify Indea, the leader,
who is entitled to praise, who, single, overcomes aU
hostile hosts.§
20. Eecite agreeable words, sweeter than cla-
rified butter, or than Soma, to the illustrious
‘ Sama Yeda, II. 860 [II. 7. 1.8. 2, reading rddhah for dak-
Bham], Aswya is explained as tlie son of Aswa, or Vyaswa,
* Hid. II. 861 [II. 7. 1. 8. 3].
* Ev^ hi virah Btamte saddvridhah commentator renders
it as in the translation, but he does not notice saddvridha*
* Sama Yeda, I. 4. 2. 5. 5 ; II. 8. 2. 10. 1.
t Hid. II. 8. 2. 10. 2. i.e. 17one is mightier or more praise-
worthy (or richer) than thou.*’
t Ihid. II. 8. 2. 10. 3.
% Hid. I. 4. 2. 5. 7.
j \
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHTItA. 17
(Indea), who is gratifted by eulogy, who rejects not
praise ;
21. Whose energies are unbounded ; whose wealth Vatga xix
cannot he carried away; .whose bounty extends like
the firmament over all.
22. Glorify Indea, the unassailable, the powerful,
the regulator (of men), as was done by Vtaswa ; he,
the lord, gives a spacious dwelling to the donor (of
the oblation).*
23. Praise verily at present, son of Vxaswa, praise
(Indea), who is the tenth of the pervading (vital
principles),^ the adorable, the aU-wise, to be honoured
repeatedly (by sacred rites).
24. Thou art cognizant, wielder of the thunder-'
bolt, of the departure of evil beings, as the purifying
sun day by day (is of that) of the (birds) flying in
all directions (from their roost).*
26. Indea, of goodly aspect, bring to the offerer
(of the oblation) that (protection) wherewith to
^ The text has simply dasamam, the tenth ; in explanation of
which the seholiast cites a text which states that there are nine
Tital airs in the human body, and that Tndra is the tenth; mwa
mi purmhe prdrf,d manushyeshu vartamdnd Indrm tesMm daeadhd,
etc. [Cf. Taitt. Brdhm. i. 3, 7, 4, and Taitt. Sanh. i. 7. '9,]
* Sdma Veda, L 396 [I. 5. 1. 1. 6],
^ Sdyai^a explains yamam as stotfilMh Buniyatam^ ^*who is
conciliated (?) by his praisers;” and manhamdnam gayam^ as
honourable wealth,” or a house for the worship of the gods.”
He gives a^passive meaning to yamHj but cf. viii. 103. 10.
VOX. V. ^
18
EIG-VEDA SANHITi.
defend him thou hast twice slain (the foe) for
Eutsa ; show the same (care of us).*
Varga xs. 26. (Inbea) of goodly aspect, we implore thee
who art entitled to praise, for (our) preservation ; for
thou art the overcomer of all our adversaries.
27. (He it is) who rescues men from the wicked-
ness of evil beings, who enriches (the dwellers) on
the seven rivers : + now hurl, thou who aboimdest
in wealth, thy weapon at the Dasa.
28. As thou, Vaett, hast distributed vast wealth
to those who have solicited (riches) on behalf of
SnsHiMAiir, J (so do thou now distribute) to the de-
scendants of VvAswA ; (and so too thou), auspicious
food-bestowing (IJshas).^
29. May the gifts of aliumane§ (prince), when
^ The text has only Sulhage vdjinimti. The comment sup-
plies Ushas^ on the authority of Jamaica. [S^yana gives an
alternative rendering, which is paralleled hy v. 2 of the sixth
8<iUa of this anuvdlca, making Va/ru himself address the stanza
to XIsJiaBf. and ask her to give him wealth for the sons of Vyaswa,
as she had given to his father for his suppliants.]
* Sdyana takes it, ‘‘Bring to us that protection wherewith
(thou proteotest thy) offerer ; send to us (that protection where-
with) thou hast twice slain (the foe) for KuUaP
f 8a^ia sindhushu^ ke» the dwellers on the banks of the seven
rivers, the or on the shores of the seven seas
(Sayapa).
I Ymu is said to have distributed these alms that his father,
. Smhdmanf might go to heaven-
I Sayaicia expkina as
SIXIH ASHTAKA— SECOND ADHTIyA. 19
offering the Soma libation, extend to the Vyaswas,
yea, and substantial "vrealth by hundreds and thou-
sands.
30. If any ask of thee, (Ushas), when anywhere
present,* where the sacrificer (VjvRU dwells), (reply)
the powerful (prince), the refuge of all, abides on
(the banks of) the GomaU riTer.
StJktaY. (XXV.)
The deities are Mitba. and Vabotta, except in the tenth, eleventh,
and twelfth stanzas, in which they are the Yi§wai>evas : the
Riald is the son ofYTAswA: the metre is Usknih^ except in
the penultimate stanza, where it is Ushniggarlhd.
1. Tou two are the protectors of the universe, varga ty t
divine, and to be adored among the gods ; therefore,
(ViswAMANAs), thou saorificest to the pair who are
observan^ of- truth and endowed with real power.
2. Mitba and Yahuna, doers of good deeds, (dif-
fusers of) riches, who are the charioteers (of men),f
well bom of old, the sons (of Aditi), observant of
vows, (you are worshipped by me),^
^ The text has only the nouns, without any verb, which is
supplied by the commentator* [He supplies ^*thou sacrificest
to them,*’ td gajme, from the previous verse.]
^ Sayana explains huhaydhrite as meaning, ‘*Oh thou who
art honoured by those who ask where Varu dwells,^* sa mruh^
hutra tuhthatiigetadichehhayd ^hhilahlianapravrittair jijndmhhih
puraskriU {Ushas). Valah he takes as mrah^ sc. swahalena
dvdralcah mtriindm^ ** overwhelmer of enemies.”
t Or, perhaps, bringers of riches,” land rathyd.
20
EIQ-TBDA SANHITl.
3. The great and yeracious Anm, the mother (of
the gods), gave birth to those two who are possessed
of all affluence, and shining with great splendour,
for the (destruction of the) Asuras^
4. The great Mioea. and Vaeota, the two sove-
reign* and powerful f deities, the observers of truth,
iUume^ our solemn rite.
6. Grandsons of mighty strength, sons^ of energy,
doers of good deeds, liberal benefactors, they preside
over the habitation of food.
Varga xxii. 6. Bestow (upon us) good gifts, viands, whether
of heaven or- earth : may the water-shedding rains
attend upon you.
7. (These are they) who look upon the great
deities as (a bull contemplates) the herd, sovereigns
observant of truth and propitious to adoration.
8. Observers of truth, doers of good deeds, they
sit down for the offlee of sovereignty ; J observant
of obligations, endowed with strength, they acquire
vigour.®
^ The text has ghoshatah, which S^yana readers swadiptgd
praMsagatah.
* KcJiatriyd hskatram dsatuh is explained ialavaniau lakm
vydpnutah
* B%ana, as usual, explains aamrdjd as ‘‘ perfectly resplen-
dent,” aamyag ikpyamdnau ; and so, too, in v. 7.
f Asurd is also explained as ‘‘ impelling hy being the in-
dwelling principle,” antarydmUayd prerahm.
t Of. toL i. p. 66, verse 10.
SIXTH A8HTAKA — SECOND ADHTIyA. 21
9. ThoroDgli knowers of the path, even before
the eye (can see), causing (all beings) to open
their eyelids, existing from of old, and shining
with a ihild radiance, v.erily they have been wor-
shipped.^
10. May the divine Aditi, may the NIsattas also
protect us ; may the rapid Maettts defend us.
11. Munificent and irresistible (Maruts), guard Varga xxiii.
our vessel* by day and night, so that we may be
secure through your protection.
12. We, uninjured (through his protection, offer
praise) to the liberal Vishnu, who harms not (his
adorers) : do thou who goest by thyself alone (to
combat), and causest wealth to fiow (to the wor-
shipper), hear (our prayer) in behalf of him who
has commenSed the sacrifice.^
13. We solicit that ample, all-desired, aU-guarding
(wealth) which Mitea, Vaeuna, and Aetamah hold
under their protection.
14. Tea, may he who causes the waters to flow
^ A rather unintelligible verse, even itrith the help of the
scholiast. [S%ana seems to understand it as referring to Mitra
and Varum as respectively presiding over day and night, ahord-
trayor vyd^tem UjasdJ]
® Sayana interprets Smdho as Btotrln prati dkandndm syanda-
nasila Yuhno^ and pxirvachittaye as frdraldhalcarmyne yajumd-
ndya.
^ M> ndvam wmhyafa; ndvam yajniydm occurs in x. 44. 6,
and seems there to mean the sacxihce.
22
RIG- VEDA SANHITi.
(Paejanta), the Maruts, the As-wins, Indra, Vishnu,
may all (these deities) together, the showerers (of
benefits, protect) that vrealth for us.
15. Those desirable leaders (of men), rapid in
morement, break down the haughtiness of any (foe)
■whatever, as an impetuous current (sweeps away all
obstacles).
Ytagi XXIV. 16. This one, the lord of men (Mitra), contem-
, plates many vast things :• we follow his rites for you.
17. We observe the ancient rites of the imperial
Yaruna and the renowned Mitra, (rites) that are
good for (our) dwellmg.’^
18. (Mitra is he) who has measured with his
rays the limits of both heaven and earth ; who has
filled both heaven and earth with his greatness.
19. He, SuRYA,® has uplifted his radiance in the
region of the heaven ; kindled and invoked vdth
burnt-offerings, he is bright, like Agni.
20. Eaise your voice in the spacious hall of
sacrifice* (to him) who is lord over food derived
from cattle, who is able to gi. -t nutritious sustenance.
Varga XXV. 21. I glorify by night and day that sun® (Mitra
* The text has only Ohyd. The comment renders it Oko
griham tmmai Mtdni karmdni.
* That is, according to the comment, Miira and Varum.
Cf. V. 21.
’ Tat tkryam means, according to the scholiast, the brightness
of Mitra and Vaxuya. [Sdya^a’s words are tdryam mviryam^
tat Vdru^am Maitram oka
* Saya^ia explains dirghaprataimani as an .epithet of yajne,
vistfitam tadanam yatmin yajne.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHYAXa: 25
and Vaeuna), and both the heaven and earth; do
thou (Vaexjna) ever bring us to the presence of the
bountiful.
22. We have received from the son of SushIman,
the descendant of TJkshan, the overcomer (of foes),
a well-going chariot of silver, yoked (with a pair of
horses).
23. Among bay horses these two are pre-emi-
nently) the destroyers (of foes), and of those eager
in combat ; the two strong bearers of men.
24. Through this new praise (of Mitea and
Yaedna) I have obtained at the same moment of
the mighty prince, two fast-going sagacious* steeds,
with whip and reins.
SifKiA TI. (XXTI.)
The deities are the Agwitrs, but of the last six stanzas Vaxu ;
the Jl^uM as before, Viswajiaitas, the son of Tta?'wa, (or
, Vtastva, the descendant of Anoibas) : the metre of the first
fifteen stanzas and the twenty-second, twenty-third, and
twenty-fourth is Uihnihj that of the sixteenth and three
following is Crdi/atrl, as also of the twenty-first and twenty-
fifth ; that of the twentieth, Anushtulh.
1. (Aswins) of irresistible strength, affluent varga xxvi.
showerers (of benefits), I invoke your chariot
amidst the pious, who are assembled to celebrate
your presence.
* Bayana explains viprau as medhdvindm uchitaUj worthy of
the praisers of% deity.’*
24
BIG- VEDA SANHiri.
2. (Say), Yabd^ (thus), NIsattas, senders of rain,
affluent showerers (of benefits), as you came to
SusttiMArT with your protections to (grant him)
great riches,® (so come to me). ^
3. Affluent in nourishment, we invoke you, who
are desirous of (sacrificial) food, on this occasion at
dawn® with oblations.
4. Leaders (of rites), let your renowned all-con-
veying chariot come to us, and (do you) recognize
the praises of the zealous (worshipper) for his
prosperity.
5. Aswinrs, affluent showerers (of benefits), detect
the guileful ; verily, Exideas, vex your adversaries.
Vaigaxxvii. 6. Daseas, who are gratified by sacred rites, of
fascinating complexion,* lords of ram, pass with your
fleet (horses) completely round our entire (sacrifice)
7. Come to us, Aswins, with all-supporting riches,
for you are opulent, heroic, overthrown of none.
8. Indea and ITIsaotas, who are most accessible,
come to this my sacrifice : oome, gods, to-day, with
(other) divinities.
^ The text has only Faru, in the vocative, which the com-
mentator ampMes — Me mrundmaka rdjam evam hriihkty J^ishtr
vadati,
® Mahe iane, mahate dhandya ; mahyaM dydtam is supplied by
the scholiast-
^ Ati Tcsha^ah^ hha^dyd atiirame, at the passing of night,**
mhah-Mle,
* Madhuvarnd is explained ye yiivay(> fkyaWf pasyanti ie
tatraiva hfukfd hhavantif **they who look upon yonr beauty
are delighted/*
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHTiTA,
26
9. Desirous of you vlio are bestowers of wealth,
we iuToke you, as did (our father) Vtaswa: come,
sagacious Aswins, hither with favourable iutentions.
10. Praise the Aswins devoutly, JRisU, that they
may repeatedly hear thine invocation, and destroy
the nearest (approaching enemies) and the Fanis.
11. Hear, leaders (of rites), (the invocation) of me
the son of Vtaswa, and understand its (purport);*
and may Vartjna, Mhea, and Aetaman concurrently
(grant me wealth).
12. Adorable showerers (of benefits), bestow daily
upon me (some) ©f that (wealth) which is given by
you, which is brought by you for the worshippers.
13. The man who is enveloped in sacrifices (oflfeBed)
to you, like a woman with additional raiment,^ re-
warding him, Aswins, you place him in prosperity.
14. Pavourably disposed towards me, come, As-
wins, to the dwelling of him who knows (how to
prepare for you) the most copiously effused (libation)
to be drunk by the leaders (of rites).
15. Affluent showerers (of benefits), come to bur
dwelling for (the libation) to be drunk by the leaders
(of rites), for you bring the sacrifice to completion
by praise, as the fatal shaft (slays the deer)>
^ Adhivastrd^ ‘‘having another garment over her ordinary
clothes.*’
* The text has only Yishudruhevai which Saya^a explains,
visvdn MnasU satr'itn iti sarah^ []He explains the allusion as
* Sdyapa seems to explain it, “ye recognize this my (invoca-
tion as devoted to you).”
26
EIG-VEDA SANHITi.
Varga XXIX. 16. Aswixs, leaders (of rites), among' (all) invo-
cations may my most, earnest praise invoke you as a
messenger, may it be (acceptable) to you.
17. Whether, immortal (Aswixs), you rejoice in
the water of the firmament, or in the dwelling of the
, worshipper,^ hear this my (invocation).
18. Verily this SwbtatavaeI, the golden-pathed
river, is of all rivers the especial bearer of your
(praises).
19. Aswins, following a brilliant course, you ac-
quire celebrity by the white river worthily praising
you, the enricher (of the people on its banks).^
20. Yoke your chariot-drawing horses, Vivu;
bring them, Vasu, encouraged (to the sacrifipe) ;
then drink our Soma ; come to our daily libations.
Vaiga XXX. 21. We solicit thy protection, VlTtr, lord of sa-
crifice, wonderful son-in-law of Twashtri.®
follows : te7i,a {vuhudruhd) yathd vyddho mrigam alhUasMtam
desam prd^ayati tadvat siutyd yajnam avaikalyena samdptim
prdpay&tkahy ** as a hunter by an arrow brings the deer to the
desired spot (to its destination?), so ye by praise cause the
sacrifice to attain completion.^’]
^ iHho vd grihe^ yuvdm iehchhato yajamdnasya is Sayana’s
explanation.
* The river is said to have praised the Aminsy as the
lived on its banks. These banks are golden, and consequently
enrich those who live near.
^ S4yana explains Twashtri here by Brahmd^ and refers for
the connection to the Itihdsm and other authorities. MaMdhara
(Yajur-Veda, 27, 34) says, Vdyu^ or the wind, having taken
water Irom Aditya^ fertilizes it, as rain, and is therefore as it
were his son-in-law, idehtifying Twashfri with Aditya^
SIXTH ASHXAXA — SECOND ADHTItA. 27
22; We, the offerers of Soma, solicit riches from
the sovereign, the son-in-law of Twashtri ; (may
we become) wealthy.
23. Establish, Vattj, happiness in heaven;* bear
quiokly thy well-horsed (chariot) ; do thou, who art
mighty, yoke the broad-flanked (horses) to the car.
24. We invoke thee who art of graceful form,
extending through thy magnitude thy limbs in all
directions,' to our religious rites, like the stone (for
bruising the Soma).
25. Divine Vlxtr, foremost (of the gods), exulting
in thine own mind, cause our rites to be productive
of food and water.!
StfKTA VII. (XXVII.)
The V19WADEVAS are the deities 4 MAinj, the son oIVitaswat,
is the ^ithi : the metre of the odd verses is Bfihati ; of the
even, Satolrihati,
1 . Agni is the Pnrohita at the sacrifice : the Varga XAXi.
stones, the sacred grass (are prepared) for the cere-
mony. I invoke with the holy verse the Haruts,
* Asma^isHham, is, literally, “home on a horse’s back;” but
S 4 ya)nia here interprets aswa. by vydpta, and 'prUlitht by
* Vdyu being considered the supporter of all the celestial
luminaries, ta/ma^otuhdm tvoodddhiroitw&t,
f S&yana seems to explain the latter clause, “ Give us food
and water, and so cause our rites to be duly performed.” .
28 EIG-VEDA SANHETA.
Beahmajjaspati, and all the gods, for their desirable
protection.^
2. Thou comest (Aghti), to the victim, to the
dwelling® (of the worshippeE), to the touchwood, to
the Somaj at dawn and at night: universal deities,
givers of wealth, knowing all things, be the de-
fenders of our pious acts.
. 3. Let the ancient sacrifice proceed first to Aoni,
then to the gods, — to the Xmitas, to VAEtrtfA, ob-
servant of obligations, to the all-resplendent Maettts.
4. May the universal deities, possessors of all
opulence, destroyers of foes, be (nigh) to Mxsv for
his prosperity : do ypu, who know all things, secure
to us an abode safe from robbers® through your un-
assailable protections.
5. ITniversal deities, united together and of one
mind, come this day to us, (attracted) by the sacred
praise addressed to you ; and do you, Maeuts, and
the mighty goddess Anm, (come) to the dwelling,
(our) abode.
* Sdma Veda, I. 48 [I. 1. 1. 5. 4. Sayana explains jpuroAita
in. its literal meaning, as “placed in front, (or on the east), on
the wttara
’ PriihMm, -which is explained idam devasadanam, “this
chamber of the gods.” Oshadhih may here also imply annnal
plants, according to S^yapa. [S%a 9 .a renders ushdsd naktam
othadhih, (“thou comest) to da-wn and night (these being the times
for the offering), and the soma-grinding stones.” He explains
vasava^, as usual, by v&tayitarah, “ causers of habitations.” J
* Avrikam ttenarahitam ; or it may imply, “ free from any
aimoyances, hddhdrahitamP
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — SECOND ADHTIta. 20
6. Direct, Maetjtb, your beloved horses (to our
rite): Mitra, (come to our) oblations; and may
Indea, and Vaettna, and the swift leaders, the
AntiTAS, sit down on our eacred grass.
7. Bearmg the dipt sacred grass, offering in due,
order the (sacrificial) food, presenting the effused
Soma, and having the fires kindled, we invoke you,
Vartjna,^ (and the rest), as did Manus.
8. Maeuis, Yishnu, Aswins, POshan, come hither -
(induced) by my praise: may Indea, the first (of
the gods), also come, the showerer {of benefits), he
who is praised by (his) worshippers as the slayer of -
Veitea.
9. TJnoppressive deities, bestow upon us a mansion
without defect, so that, subduers (of foes), no one
may injure our defences, whether from afar or nigh.
10. There is identity of race among you, deities;
destroyers of foes ; there is kindred^ (with me your
worshipper); therefore utter at once the command
for our former prosperity , and for new happiness.
11. Deities, possessed of all wealth, I, desirous of
offering worship, address to you verily unprecedented
praise, for the sake of obtaining desired rfftiuence.
* When Mitra ^nd Varum are named singly, botli are intended,
and sometimes even more of the Viswadevasf according to the
scholiast.' [For Mmu^s sacrifice, cf. vol. i. p. 68, and Safapatha
Br&kmam^ i, 8*.^!.]
® The text lias only mty dpyam^ tlie Sclio%st says, with the
BisU of the hymn.
30
RIO-VEBA SANHITI.
12. Devoutly praised (Maeuts), when the ador-
able Savitm has risen above you, then bipeds and
quadrupeds, and the flying birds, seeking (their
objects), enter (upon their functions).
13. We would invoke each deity among you
(gods) for protection, each deity for the attainment
of our desires, each deity for the acquisition of food,
glorifying you with divine praise.'
14. May the universal gods with one consent be
together the givers (of riches) to Manxt ; may they,
both to-day and hereafter, be the bestowers of wealth
upon us and upon our posterity.'*
15. I glorify you, innoxious deities, in the place
of praises: no harm befalls the man who, Mitea
and Yarota, offers (oblations) to your glories.
16. He enlarges his dwelling, he has abundant
food who offers you (oblations) to obtain a blessing :
through his pious acts he is born on every side in
his children ; all prosper (through yeur favour) un-
harmed (by enemies).
Varga 17. He gains (wealth) without war, he travels
along the roads with quick (horses), whom Aetaman,
Mitea, and Yartjna, alike munificent, and acting
in concert, protect.
18. You enable him (Manu) to proceed by an
unobstructed road; you grant him easy access to
difficult passes : may the weapon (of the foe) be far
from him, and, inflicting no injury, perish.
' Yajur-Veda, 38. 91.
» Jhfd. 33. 94.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SECONB ADHTItA.
31
19. Divinities of benevolent vigour, since you
preside over the rite* to-day, at the rising of the
sun, since, possessors of all -wealth, (you are present)
at his setting, or at his waking, or at the meridian
of the day ;
20. Or since, all-wise deities, you accept the
sacrifice, bestowing on the zealous donor (of the
oblation) a dwelling (such as we may worship in),*
then, possessors of all wealth, distributors of riches,
may we worship you in the midst (of that dwelling).
21. (Gods), who* are possessed of all wealth,
bestow t the desired (opulence) upon the intelligent
Manit, offering oblations to you at sunrise, mid-day,
and sunset.
22. We solicit of you, resplendent deities, as a son
(of a’ father), that which is to be enjoyed by many;
offering oblations, may we obtain that (wealth),
Xdittas, by which we may possess abundance.
^ The construction is so loose, that it is impossible to do more
than conjecture the meaning. YadvdbMpUwe asurd ritam yate
Mardir yema m ddsmh is explained yadvd asmadyajmm prati
yushmdkam alhiprdptau yajnam gaclichhate havinsM dattmate
yajamdndya griham prayaehchhathaj since you give a dwelling to
the donor of the oblation proceeding to the rite, which is to bring
you to our sacrifice,” or, ^‘on your approach to our sacrifice.”
- ■ r;. r:- , , ■■■=-'- — r- tttt:
* Sayana says, ‘‘since ye uphold the house (rendered pros-
perous),” griham kalydnahhiitam dhdrayatha.
t Sayana connects this verse with the next, “ since ye give
the desired (opulence) to Mam^^ etc., “therefore we solicit of
you,” etc.
32
Ua'YEDA 8AKHIXA.
Jam
xxfv.
SiJjnrA VIII. (XXVIlt)
Deities and JS^isJii as before : tbe metre is Qdyatri, except in the
fourth verse, where ibis Fura-ushtiih.
1. May the tlxee-and-tliirty divinities sit down-
upon the sacred grass; may" they accept (our offer-
ings), and bestow upon us both (sorts of wealtl^.^
■2. May VIrttna, JifiTEA, Aetaman, and the
Agnis, with their wives, honouring the donors (of
the oblation), and addressed with the sacrificial
exclamation, —
3. Be our protectors, whether coming with all
their attendants from the west, firom the north, from
the south, from the east.*
4. Whatever the gOds desire, that assuredly comes
to pass: no one can resist their (will), no mortal
withholds (their) offerings, f
5. Seven are the lances of the seven (troops of
the Maruts), seven are their ornaments, tlLey wear
seven surpassing glories.
^ 4,e, cattle and moneys or, may they give repeatedly. [Sdyana
explains vidan^ ^‘may they acknowledge ns as offerers.”]
♦ Siyapa artificially makes out six directions hy taking n^ah
as the nadir, and understandings hy ittkd the south and the
jsenith.
I Or, perhaps, as Sdya^a takes it, ‘‘even the non-offering
mortal (must give offerings if they will it).”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADETITA.
sa
StjKTA IX. (XXIX.)
Deities as before : tbe is the son of MAsfcHT, ^r
the son of Titaswat ; the metre is DiMpadd Virdj-
1. One (/S(p»ia) brown of hue, ^all-perrading, leader
of the nights, * eyer young, decprates (himself) with
golden ornaments.
2. One (Aoni) intelligent,. Tesplendent among the
gods, is seated in his place (the altar).
3. One [Twashfri) immoveably stationed among
the- gods, holds his iron axe in his hand.
4. Onp (Indba) holds his thunderbolt wielded in
his hand, by which he slays the Yeixeas.
5. One (Bddea) brilliant and fierce, (yet) the d,is-
tributor of healing medicines, holds his sharp weapon
in his hand.
6. One (PiJshan) watches the roads* like a robber,
and IS cognizant of hidden treasures.
7. One (Vishot) wide-stepping, has trayerSed tbe
three worlds where the gods rejoice.
8. Two (the Aswins) trayel with swift (horses)
along with one (bride 8fiBTi.), like trayellers to
foreign countries.
9. Two of like beauty and of royal rank (Mixea
and Vaeuna), worshipped with oblations of clarified
butter, haye taken their seat m heayen.
^ ^ 1 •
^ Bahhru applies properly to the Soma planti but the other
epithet indicate Somaj the moon.
, ^ Simara^ which is explained Bushthu rdirindm mti*
^ Cf. ToL I. p. 115.. — S4yapa understands the roada to heaTen
or hell.
34
EIQ-VBDA SANHITl.
10. Some (the Atris), when worshipping, 'call to
mind the great sdman, wherewith they light up the
sun.*
StJkia X. (XXX.)
Deities as before : the J^isM is Mautj, the son of Vivaswat ;
each of the four stanzas is in a different metre, Gayatri,
Pxira-usTinih, Brihati, Anuchfubh.
1. There is no one among you, gods, who is an
infant or a youth; you verily are all of mature
-existence.'t
2. Destroyers of foes, gods, adored by Manu, who
are three-and-thirty, and are thus hymned ;
3. Do you preserve us, do you protect us, do you
direct us (to our good) ; lead us not afar from the
paternal paths of MAincr,’ nor from those still more
distant.
4. Gods, who are here present, all to whom this
full sacrifice is offered, bestow upon us, upon our
cattle and horses, happiness far renowned.
* Mam is said to be the universal father, and the paths he
enjoins are those of austerity and ceremonial. Brahmaehory-
tigmhofrd3t-b:armdm yena mdrgena hhavanti tarn eva asmdv,
nayata. [Sayana explains the latter line, “Lead us not away
from the far-reaching paternal path of Manu, but away from
any which is distant therefrom.”]
* Cf. sufrd, Vol. III. p. 297. Saya^a explains the sdman as
the trivrit, panehadasa, etc.
t Sato-maMnia/}, explained by Sayana as sarvasmdd viiyoh
mdndi prithivydm api ye maMntas te satomaMnta ity ucbymte,
literally, “greater than all that is.”
SIXTH ASHTA^X — SECOITD ADHYITA.
35
ANCrviKA V.
ADHYAYA II. Continuep.
SfeM I. (XXXI.)
The deities of the first four stanzas are the sacrifice and praise
of the Yajam&na-, of the next five, the praise of the same and
his -wife ; the benediction pronounced upon the pair is the
divinity of the rest : the RisU is Mjjrtr, the son of Tivaswat ;
the metre of the ninth and fourteenth verses is Amshtuhh',
of the last four, Pankti ; of the tenth, Pidaniehrit ; of the
rest, Gdyatri.
1. He who offers oblations (to the gods, again)
offers them: he pours forth libations and presents
(the sacred cake),* he delights in reiterating the
praise verily of Inuka.
2. ^NDKA protects from sin that man who offers
him cakes and presents Soma mixed with milk.
3. A brilliant chariot comes to him, sent by the
gods, with which, baffling all hostilities, he prospers.
4. In his house perpetual abundance, accompanied
by progeny, (is present), and milch kine are milked
day by day.f
5. Gods, may the husband and wife, who with one
^ Tke pasu-puroddsa is explained in the Nydya-mdld^mstara
as the cake, which is an essential part of the animal sacrifice in
the jyoUsJitoma, ^as u-devatd-sanshdrah,
f Sayana explains it, '‘in his house perpetual abundance,
accompanied by progeny and cattle, is milked day by day;’’ or
Ild may be taken as the* goddess of cows, in which case duJie is
explained, “milks forth, bestows.”
86
RIG-VEDA SAITHlTl.
mind oJEfer libations and purify them, and (propitiate
you) vitb tbe Soma ever mixed with mi lk, —
6. Constantly associated, may they acquire appro-
priate (sacrificial) viands; may they be able to offer
sacrifice ; may they never be wanting in food (given
by the gods).^
7. They retract not (their promises) to the gods,
they withhold not your praise, but offer abundant
(sacrificial) food.
8. Blessed with- youthful and adolescent offspring,
and both having their persons richly ornamented,
th^ pass (happily) their whole life.
9. Offering acceptable sacrifices, obtaining the
wealth they solicit,* presenting gratifying (oblations
to the gods), for the sake of immortality® enjoying
personal union, they (wife and husband) worship the
gods.
10. We solicit the happiness (afforded) by the
mountains, the rivers, and -VisENtr, associated (with
the godsl
Varga XL. 11. May the adorable, PbsHAX, the possessor of
opulence, the most benevolent patron to all, come
^ The phraseology is not yery perspicuous: ^na fd vd/esM
vdyatah is explained devairdattesJmnneshu m-gaehchJiatah, sarvadd
mnasahitau tuTifhaidm.
* Amritdya; the comment explains it, for the increase of
descendants, $antdndbhivriddliay&,
’^•S^yana explains vitihotrd as ‘‘tiiey whose sacrifices pro-
cure themvhappiness,’’ and Jcritadvasii as pdtreMpgyuktadhamu,
** bestowing your wealth on the suppliant/*
SIXTH. ASHTAXA — SECOJTO ADHTATA. 37
.auspicioiisly; may a Vnde path (be open) -for our
prosperity.
12. All men "with (devout) minds are the nn-
vrearied* (praisers) of the irresistible deity (P^shan),
verily the (most) sinless of the Ai)iTTAS.t
13. Since Mitea, Astaman, and Vaeota are our
protectors, may the paths df the sacrifice be easily
traversed (by them).
14. I •worship the divine Agni, the preceder of
you, (gods), with praise, (for the sake') of riches ; the
worshippers (cherish him), the bountiful perfecter of
the sacrifice, like a friend.
16. The chariot of the devout worshipper q^uickly
(prevails), as the hero (prevails) in all combats what-
ever : the celebrator of the sacrifice, who desires to
propitiate the mind of the gods, overcomes those who
are no sacrificers.
16. Devoted to the gods, pouring out to them
libations, thou, worshipper, shalt not perish: the
celebrator of the sacrifice, who desires to propitiate
the mind of the gods, overcomes those who are no
sacrificers.
17. No one obstructs him, by his acts, he is never
driven (from his station), he is never separated (from
hjs family) : the celebrator of the sacrifice, who de-
, •* Sajama takes aramati^ as for wHeh he explains
as parydpta-siutili.
t Siya^a explains this latter clause, “ verily (the gifts) of the
Aiityoi are void of evil, (therefore we praise Piishan for the
attainment of food, etc.”).
38
EIG-VEDA SANHITi.
sires to propitiate the mind of the gods, overcomes
those who are no sacrificers.
18. To him in this life is a valiant progeny, to
him are swift herds of horses j the celehrator of the
sacrifice, who desires to propitiate the mind of the
gods, overcomes those who are no sacrificers.
THIRD ADHyItA.
MAND-AIjA VIII. Continued.
ANU VXkA y. Continued.
SdKiA II. (XXXII.)
Indea is the deity; the ^isU is MjeehXtiihi, of the race ot
Kawa; the metre is Qdyatri.
Varga I. 1. Celebrate with songs the great deeds of Indiia,
the drinker of the stale Soma, when in his exhilara-
tion.*
2. The fierce (deity) who, liberating the waters,
, has slain Seibiitoa, Anaesani, Piprtj, and the slave f
Ahisxjva.
3. Pierce the rain-holding domain of the vast
Aebuda : achieve, Indea, this manly exploit.
4. I invoke the victorious handsome-jawed Ijidea
for yoar protection, and to hear (your praises), as (a
traveller invokes) the water from the cloud.^
^ T'krndsam net girer adM. Say ana quotes Yasha 5. 16, for
^ Sayana seems to explain this : ‘‘Proclaim the deedjs of the
stale Soma^ in the words of Indra when filled with exhilaration.’*
f Sayana makes Ddsa another proper name. Ddsam cha
AMsuvam cha.
SIXTH ASHTAKA— THIED ADHTATA.
39
5. Exhilarated by the 8oma draughts,* thou, hero,
throwest open the pastures of the cattle and horses
like a (hostile) city.
6. If then art propitiated by my libation andv?rgaii.
praise, and bestowest food (upon me), come with
viands from afar.
7. Indba, who art pleasea by praise, we are thine
adorers; do thou therefore, who art tne drinker of
the 8oma, be generous unto us.^
8. Gratified by us, bring us undiminished food,
Maghatan, for vast is thy wealth.
9. Make us (Indba) possessed of cattle, of gold,
and of horses : may we prosper with, abundant
viands.
10. We invoke Indea, who is greatly to be praised,
whose arm is stretched out for the protection (of the
world), acting nobly for our defence.^
11. The slayer of Yeitra, the accomplisher of a Varga iii.
hundred exploits in war, achieves them that he may
be the giver of much wealth to his worshippers.
12. May Saeea give us strength, may the liberal
tirmsa meaning udaka. He explains the sense, as a man in hot
weather calls for water from the cloud, ^athd gharme ^IMtapfah
pumdn udakam megham prati hwagati,
^ S^ma Veda, I. 230 [I. 3. 1. 4. 8].
* lUd. L 217 [I. 3. 1. 3. 4].
^ Sayam explains somyehhyah by somdrhelhyali^ i.e, exhi-
larated thou throwest them open to those worthy of the Soma
or to the worthy offerers of the Soma.
40
m.&-TEDJL SANHErl.
iNDiiA. with all protections be the supplier of our
deficiencies.^
13. Glorify that Indba who is the preserver of
riches, the mighty, the conveyer beycai(i(calamity),*
the friend of the offerer of the libation ;
14. Him who comes nigh, the mighty, the firm in
battles, the acquirer of fame,t the lord of vast riches
through his prowess,
16. Ho one puts a limit- to his glorious deeds, no
one asserts that ne is not generous.
Varga-iv. 16. Tcrily no debt is due (to the gods) by those
^oma-par taking Brahmans offering libations;® the
Som,a is not drunk without the expenditure of bound-
less (wealth). J
17. Sing praises to the adorable (Indra.), repeat
prayers to the adorable (Ikdea), address hymns to
the adorable (Indea).
18. The powerful Indea, the discomforter of
hundreds and thousands, unchecked (by foes), is
adorable ; he who is the benefactor of the sacrificer.
^ Anturdhharah is explained chhidrdndm dpiirahah^ or eJihidrd-
pidhdyi, tiie filler- up or coyerer of flavs.
* A text is quoted to tlio effect that ‘‘he who has a son, or is
chaste, is free from debt,’’ that is, to the gods and manes, anfino
yah putrl yadvd IrdhmachdrL
* Bapdra is more often explain€€ ** ready to he brought by
praise.”
f ^rav&)itam might also mean the winner of wealth or food.’”
I Apratd is explained aviatirnadhamna, which would rather
mean by one who has not abundant wealth.”
SIXTH iSHTAXA— -THIim ADHTlTA. 41
19. Index, -who' art to be invoked of men, come
to tkeir offered viands, drink of (their) libations.
20. Drink of the (Soma) purchased by the mOfiTi
cow,^ that (Soma) which 'is mixed with water, that
which, Index, is especially thine.
21. Index, pass by the man who offers the liba- Varga v.
tion in anger, him who pours it out upon a spot
disapproved of ; drink this presented Soma.^
22. Index, who hast beheld our praises, proceed
in three directions from a distance,* pass beyond
the five orders of beings.
23. As the sim disperses his rays, do thou dis-
perse (wealth upon me): may my praises rapidly
draw thee, as waters (reach) the low ground.
24. Adhwaryu, quickly pour forth the Soma to the
hero Index with the goodly jaws j bring the Soma
for his drinking ;
26. Who clove the cloud for (the issue of) the
rain, who sent down the waters, who placed the
mature (milk) in the cattle.
26. The brilliant t Index slew Veitex, Atjenx- v«rgavi.
vlBHX, Ahiswx ; he smote Aebijdx with frost.
27. Sing aloud (priests) to the fierce, victorious
i
^ 8wadhainavdndm^ dhenvd Icritdn somdn : as by the text,
dhemd hrindti.
'* Sama Yeda, I. 223 [I. 8. 1. 4. 1, but with some variations].
^ %,$, Come to us firom in front, from behind, and from the
side.
f For rioUshama, see YoL III. p. 467, note.
42
RIO- VEDA SAEHITi.
(Iitdra) the overpowerer, the suhduer (6^ foes), the
praise inspired by the gods ;
28. Indea, who, in the exhilaration of the quaffed
8ma, makes known among the gods all pious rites.
29. May those two golden-maned steeds, together
exulting, bring him hither to the salutary (sacri-
ficial) food.
30. Iot)BA, the glorified of many, let thy horses,
praised by PiaTAMinHA, bring thee down to drink
the Soma.
Mxsk III. (XXXm.)
Deity as before ; the J^isU is MubbtItitki ; the metre of the
sixteenth and two following yerses is Gdyatri^ of the last,
Anmht'ulh, of the rest, Brihati,
Varga VII. 1. We are pouring forth to thee the juice
like water : the praisers, strewing the dipt sacred
grass; worship thee, slayer of Teitea, in the streams
(falling) from the filter.^
2. The leaders (of rites), repeating praises, shout
to thee. Vase, when the libation issues forth; yrhen,
luDEA, bellowing hke a bull, dost thou come to the
dwelling, thirsting for the Soma ? ^
3. Eesolute (Inuea), bestow abundantly upon the
descendants of Eaxvta thousands of viands; wise
Magbavan, we earnestly solicit thee for (wealth) of
gold® and cattle.
> Sima Veda, 2. 215 [I. 8. 2. 2. 9; II. 2. 2. 12. 1].
* Hid. 2. 216 [II. 2. 2. 12. 2, but mib gamai for gamati].
“ Pi^atiga-riipam, “tawny-coloured,” is left unexplained by
the Commentary. Sima Veda, 2. 217 [II. 2. 2. 12. 3].
SIXTH ASHTA.KA — ADHTIYA.
43
4. Drink, Medhyahthi, and in the exhilaration of
the draught sing to Indka, to him -who has harnessed
his horses, who, when. the Soma is poured out, is
present, the wielder of the thunderbolt, whose chariot
is of gold.^
6. He who is well-handed, Jioth left and right,
who is the lord, who is wise,*the performer of nume-
rous great acts, the giver of vast wealth, Indea, who
is the demolisher of cities, who is gratified by praise,
is glorified (by us).
6. He who is the subduer (of foes), the unresisted, Varga viii.
practised in combats,*^ possessed of vast wealth, the
demander of the libation,® the praised of many, who
by his acts (of bounty) is like a milch cow to the
competent (worshipper).
7. Who knows him drinking with (the priests)
when the Soma is effused ? what food has he partaken
of? he, the handsome-jawed, who, exhilarated by the
(sacrificial) beverage, destroys cities by his might.*
8. As a wild elephant emitting the dews of pas-
sion, he manifests his exhilaration in many places :
no one checks thee, (Iitoea), come to the libation;
* Sdma Veda, 1. 289 [I. 3. 2. 5. 7], but tbe reading differs in
some respects, as in the beginning, ^dhi gd andhaso, instead of
pdhi gdgdndha'so, and instead of sut» saehd vajri ratho, it has
Mranyaya indro mjrL
® ^masruslm sritah §masru is explained as yuddha, a^very
Tiimsual sense.
® Chyavam is literally lie wlio causes to fall or flow, that is,
the Soma.
* Sdma Veda, I. 297 [I. 4. 1. 1. 5 ; II. 8. 2. 15. H.
44 BIQ-VEDA SAOTITi.
thou art mighty, and goest (eyerywhere) through
thy strength.’
9. He who is fierce, unmoyed (by foes) and firm,
ready, equipped for battle,— if MAOHAyAN hear the
.inyocation of his adorer, he will not go apart (from
us) but come hitha ^
10. Yerily (Inkea), in this manner fhou art the
showerer (of benefits), brought by vigorous (steeds)
to us, rmarrested (by foes); fierce'(lNDEA), thou art
celebrated as a showerer (of benefits) when afar ; thou
art celebrated as a showerer (of benefits) when nigh.^
Vw^ IX. li: Showerers (of benefits) are thy reins, such
also is thy golden whip ; thy chariot, Maqhavah, is
a showerer (of benefits), so are thy two horses ; and
thou, too, Satakeaxtj, art the showerer (of benefits).
12. Showerer (of benefits), may the offerer of the
libation to thee effuse the ^oma as a showerer;
straight-going (Indea), bring (us wealth) ; arrester
of thy horses, the showerer (of the oblation) has
prepared the bountiful /Serna to be mixed with the
waters for thee.
13. Come, most powerful Iotjea, to drink of the
/Soma ambrosia, (for without coming) this Maghavan,
the achiever of many exploits, hears not our praises,
our ehaunts, our hymns.
’ Sama Veda, 2. 1047 [11. 8. 2. 15. 2].
* Hid, 2 . 1048 [n. 8. 2. 16. 3].
* Iltd. 1. 263 [1. 3, 2. 3. 1, but with avM for apri^a^i]. The
usual aWe of Vrtshan occurs in this and the two following
verses.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIEH ADHTiTA. 45
14. Satakeatu, slayer of Vritea, let thy horses,
yoked to thy car, bring thee, the lord, riding in thy
chariot, (to our sacrifices), avoiding those sacrifices
(offered) by others.
15. Greatest of the great, brilliant drinker of the
Soma^ accept to-day this our p^^sent praise ; may
our sacrifices be most successful in exciting thine
exhilaration.
16. The hero (Indea) who has (ever) guided us Varga
delights not in thy punishment, nor in -mine, nor in
that of any other
17. Verily Index said that the mind of a woman
is not to be controlled, he declared also that her
intellect was small.*^
18. The two horses of Indea, hastening to the
exhilaration (of the Soma), draw his chariot j the
pole of the showerer rests upon them.
19. Cast thine eyes (son of Piaxoga) downwards,
not upwards : keep thy feet close together j let not
(men) behold thine ankles, for from having been a
Brahman thou hast become a female.®
' $dsira is explained sdsana, governing or punishing. The
scholiast evidsutly takes i^ in the latter sense, as he adds, Mnfu
rahshana eva ramat$, he, Indra, delights only in protecting or
preserving.
’ According to the comment, this refers to a legend that
Asanga, the son of Playoga, the patron of the had heen
changed to a woman i see the story in Vol. IT. p. 210.
“ Indra is supposed to say this to Asanga as a female.
46
Hie-YBBA SANHITA.
SUktil IY. (XXXIY.)
Deity as before ; the ItisM is Xipatithi, the descendant of XlwA,
except in the three last stanzas, where the J^isMs are the
thousand Vasxteochishas, of the race of Akoixas ; the metre is
Anushtulh in the first fifteen verses, Gdyatrk in the three last.
Varga XI. ]. Come, Inbra, with thy horses to receive the
praise of ETanwa ; do you, ruling yonder heaven, 0
radiant with oblations, return thither.^
2. May the grinding stone, yielding the Soma-
juice as it utters a sound, bring thee hither with the
noise ; do you, ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant with
oblations, return thither.^
^ This line, which constitutes the burden of the hymn, is
singularly indistinct, divo amushya sdsato dwam yaya, divdvaso^
literally, of heaven of that one gbveming go you to heaven,
heaven-affluent. The scholiast is evidently perplexed,* in one
interpretation he alters the cases to dimm ammTxmm (Indre)
sdsatij and adds, tatra my am Bukhara dmahe^ (when Indra rules
heaven we abide there happily). Dkdvaso he interprets dipta-
hmishlla. The plural yaya is put for the singular fiijdrtham.
He gives another explanation (which is followed in the text),
dyundmakam amum loham sdsanam kurvanto yiiyarn swargam
gachchhata. In his comment on the passage in the Sama Yeda,
1. 348 [I. 4. 2. 1. 7 ; II. 9. 1. 16. 1], he considers amushya as
put for amushmat ^rithwi-dohdt — from this world. Xone are
very saisfactciry ; possibly it is intended to say merely that as
Indra^s presence is necessary in heaven, he is to be allowed to go
back as soon as he has partaken of the Soma at the sacrifice on
earth. [Benfey takes dimm for the Soma-vessel, dyuhhdhhya-
dronahalasa^ and considers the line as addressed to Indra and
his horses; '*von Himmel jenes Herschenden geht ihr zum
Himmel, Strahlender.’^]
» Sama Veda, 2. 1159 [IL.9, 1. 16. 3].
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIEB ABHTItA.
47
3. The ciroTimference of these (stones) shakes (the
Soma) at this (rite), as a wolf (terrifies) a sheep ; do
yon, ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant with oblations,
return thither.^
4. The Kanwas invoke thee hither for protection
and for food ; do you, ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant
with oblations, return thither.
5. I make offering to thee of the libations as the
first drink is presented to the showererj® do you,
ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant with oblations,
return thither.
6. (Indea) master of the family of heaven,® come varga xii.
to us : do thou, who art the sustainer of the universe,
(come) for our protection: do you, ruling yonder
heaven, 0 radiant with oblations, return thither.
7. Sagacious (Indea) bestower of numerous pro-
tections, granter of infinite wealth, come unto us : do
you, ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant with oblations,
return thither.
8. May (Aoxi) the invoker, adorable among the
gods, the benefactor of man,* bring thee hither : do
you, ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant with oblations,
return thither.
’ SamaYeda, 2. 1158 fll. 9. 1. 16. 2].
> Vrishnet which the scholiast explains as Vdyu. [Cf. Aita-
reja Brahmapa, ii. 26.]
® Smatpurmdhi is interpreted swargahitumlin.
* Sayaiia here explains manur-hiiah as “placed by men in
their houses,” hut he allows the meaning in the text in lis
Commentary on I. 106. 5.
48
EIG-VEDA SANHITl.
9. Let thy two steeds, humiliators of the pride (of
foes), bring thee as (his) two wings (bear along) the
falcon: do yon, ruling yonder heaven, 0 radiant
with pblations, return thither.
10. Come, lord, from whatever direction, to drink
the Soma offered with SwdM : do you, ruling yonder
heaven, 0 radiant with oblations, return thither.
Varga xiii. 11. Come to listen to our praises, when they are
being recited, — ^bestow upon us delight: do you,
ruling yonder- heaven, 0 radiant with oblations,
return thither.
12. Indea, who art possessed of cherished steeds,
come to us with (thy) well-fed and like-shaped
horses: do you, ruling yonder heaven, O radiant
with oblations, return thither.
13. Come from the mountains, from above the
region of the firmament: do you, ruling yonder
heaven, 0 radiant with oblations, return thither.
14. Bestow upon us, hero, thousands of herds of
cattle and horses : do you, ruling yonder heaven, 0
radiant with oblations, return thither.
15. Bring to us, by thousands, tens of thousands
and hundreds (of good things): do you, ruling yonder
heaven, 0 radiant with oblations, return thither.
16. "We, the thousand Vasueochishas, andliniEA
(our leader), when we obtain vigorous herds of
horses, —
17. Such as are straight-going, fleet as the wind,
bright-colouredj light-footed, and shine like the
sun, —
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIRD ADHTItA.
49
18. Then (having received) the horses, attached
to the roUing-vheeled chariot, giveH jfrom afar,* we
depart to the middle.of the forest.
StfKTA. V. (XXXY.)
,The deities axe the A§wins; the JRisM is SrlvX^wA, of the
family of Atei: the metre of tie first twenty-one verses is
TT^arishtdjjyotUf of the twenty-second and tweniy-fourth
Fankti, and of the twenty-third MdhdbrihatL
1. Associated with Aoni, withluDRA, withVARTiNA, va^ xrv.
•with YtSHNiT, with iheAdityas, the Etidras, and the
Fasus, and united -with the da'wn 4nd -with StETA,
drink, Aswins, the Soma.
2 . Powerful (Aswihs), associated with all intelli-
gences, with all heings, with heaven, with' earth,
with the mountains, united with the dawm.and
with StFRVA, drink, As'wins, the Soma.
3. Associated "with all the thrice-eleven deitiM
at this ceremony, with the waters, with the Marute,
•with the Bhrigus, united with the dawn and •with
StTETA, drink, Aswins, the Soma,
4. Be gratified by the sacrifice ; hear my invoca-
tion; recognize, deities, all the offerings in this
ceremony; united •with the da^wn and with S^^eta,
bring us, Aswihs, food.
5. Be gratified by our praise as youths are de-
lighted (by the voices) of mai(fens : recognize, deitiM,
* Ptlrdvatcuya rdtishu. Pdrdvata is probably the name ol a
king; “ the gifts of Pdrdvata."
VOL. V. E
50
EIQ-YEDA SANHITA,
all the offerings in this ceremony; united with the
dawn and with StitYA, bring us, Aswins, food,
6. Be gratified, deities, by our praises, be gra-
tified by the sacrifice, recognize, deities, alL the
.offerings in this ceremony; united with the dawn
and with SfinYA, bring us, Aswins. food.
Varga XV, 7. Ye alight upon the effused Soma as the HAei-
BEAVA^ plunges into the water : ye fall upon it like
two buffaloes (plunging into a pool); united with
the dawn and with StiEYA, come, As'Nyms, by the
triple path.^ y ’
8. As two geese, as two traveller^; as two buffaloes
(hasten to water), ye alight, Aswins, upon the effused
Soma ; united with the da-wn and with StJETA, come,
Aswins, by the triple path.
9. Ye hasten like two falcons to the offerer of the
libation, ye alight upon the effused Sojna as two
buffaloes (liasten to water); united with the dawn
and with SfiEVA, come, Aswins, by the triple path.
10. Drink, Aswins, the Soma^ and satiate your-
selves; come hither; give us progeny; give us
wealth ; united with the dawn and with StEYA,
give us, Aswins, strength.
11. Conquer (Aswins) your foes; protect and
praise (your worshipper), grant progeny, give
' The scholiast in a former passage (see Vol. 1. p. 134 ) maVpg
hai'idrava a tree ; here it is a bird of a yellow eolour probably.
“ Tn'r tartir ydtam, “the three daily ceremonies.” [Or,
“come thrice to oux* dwelling.’*]
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIBH ADHTItA. 51
wealth, and, united with the dawn and with Si5eta,
give us, Aswihs, strength.
12. Destroy your .foes, repair to your friends,
grant progeny, give wealth, and, united with the
dawn and with StrnTA, give us, A^wms, strength.
13. Associated with Mitea and Vaexjna, with
Dhaema, with the Maeuts, repair to the invocation
of the adorer ; repair (to him), Aswisrs, united with
the dawn, with StJeta, and with the Adityas.
14. Associated with the Angirasas, with ViSHMXr,
with the Maeuts, repair to the invocation of the
adorer; repair (to him), kmim, united with the
dawn, with St5eta, and with the Adityas.
16. Associated with the Ribhm, and with the
Maruis, repair, showerers (of benefits), dispensers
of food, to the invocation of the adorer ; repair (to
him), Aswins, united with the dawn, with StrETA,
and with the Adityas.
16. Be propitious to prayer,^ be propitious to
sacred- rites, slay the RdJcshasas, remedy diseases ;
united with the dawn and with SbEXA, (drink),
Aswins, the Soma of the offerer.
17. Be propitious to the strong,** be propitious to
men, slay the RdJcshasas, remedy diseases ; united
with the dawn and with SfiEXA, (drink), Aswhits,
the Soma of the offerer.
^ Brahma jinvatam^ The scholiast renders the suhstantive by
Brdhmam,
Kshatrdm jinmtam utajinvatam nr in. The first is explained
hshatriyam, the second yoddhrin^ ** warriors.”
92
EI6-TEDA SAJTHITA.
18. Be propitious to the kine, be propitious to
the people/ slay the Bdhshasas, remedy diseases;
united with the dawn and with StEXA, (drink),
Aswms, the Soma of the offerer.
19. Humhlers of the pride (of your enemies), hear
the earnest praise of StatIswa offering libations as
(you did) that of Atri, and, united with the dawn
and with StJETA, (drink), Aswnsrs, (the Soma) pre-
pared the previous day.®
20. Humhlers of the pride (of your enemies),
accept the earnest praises of Sxi^lswA offering you
libations as if you were accepting oblations; and,
united with the dawn and with StJeta, (drink),
Aswins, (the Soma) prepared the previous day.
21. Humhlers of the pride (of your enemies),
seize the sacrifices of StIvAswa offering libations as
you seize your reins ; and united with the dawn and
with StETA, (drink), Aswins, (the Soma) prepared
the previous day.
22. Direct your chariot downwards, drink the
Soma nectar ; come, Aswins, come (hither); desirous
of your protection, I invoke you;' give precious
riches to the donor of the offering.
28. Come, leaders of rites, when the sacrifice at
which your adoration is recited, is commenced, to
’ Visak, by 'whicb S4yana understands the Tai?yas.
® Tiro ahnyam, according to the scholiast, is the Soma prepa;[ed
the day before, and drunk at early dawn, 'at the' worship of the
A?wins; cf. transl. Yol. I. p. 123.
SIXTH ASHTAXA. — THTED ADHIATA.
53
drink of tho'iS'owa offered by me;* come, Asavihs,
come (hither) ; desirous of protection, I invoke you;
give precious riches to the donor of the offering.
24. Divine (Aswins), partake to satiety of the
sacrificial beverage, consecrated with the exclama-
tion Swdhd ; come, Aswms, come (hither) ; desirous
of protection, I invoke you ; give precious riches to
the donor of the offering.
TI. (XXXVI.)
The deity is Iitdea ; the RisM as before : the first six verses
are in the Sahvari metre, the seventh in the MaMpanJctL
1. Thou art the protector of the effuser of thevargaxvm.
libation, of the strewer of the dipt sacred grass ;
drink joyfully, Saxaxrattt, the Soma for thine
exhilaration, — ^that portion which (the gods) assigned
thee, IxDEA, lord of the virtuous, who art the victor
over all (hostile) hosts, the-conqueror of many,f the
subduer of the waters, the leader of the Marufs.
2. Protect the w'ofshipper, Maghavan, protect
thyself; drink joyfully, Sataxratit, the Soma for
thine exhilaration, — ^that portion which (the gods)
Sayana here takes vivahhamsya as an epithet of the speaker,
Le. *‘at.the commenced adoration of me the offerer of libations;’’
eliewbere, as in viii. 21. 5, be takes tbe word as an epithet of
the Soma^ ‘^heaven-bestowing,” 8wargaprdpa^asila4
f Uru jraym, S%ana explains jrayas here as mga, but in
viii. 6, 27 he alternatively explained urujrayas as vistkrmvydpin^
“ the wide pervader.” We might thus render the passage, the
victor over aU hostile hosts and over wide space.”
54
Eia-VEDA SAEHITA.
assigned thee, Indea, lord of the virtuous, who art
the victor over all (hostile) hosts, the conqueror of
many, the subduer of the waters, the leader of the
Mari'As.
3. Thou, Maghavan, protectest the gods with
(sacrificial) food, and thyself by thy might; drink
joyfully, Satakeatxj, the Soma for thine exhilara-
tion, — ^that portion which (the gods) assigned thee,
Indea, lord of the virtuous, who art the victor
over all (hostile) hosts, the conqueror of many, the
subduer of the waters, the leader of the Maruts.
4. Thou art the generator of heaven, the generator
of earth; drink joyfully, Satakeatu, the Soma for
thine exhilaration, — that portion which (the gods)
assigned thee, Indea, lord of the virtuous, who art
the victor over all (hostile) hosts, the conqueror of
many, the subduer of the waters, the leader of the
Maruts.
6. Thou art the generator of horses, the generator
of cattle; drink joyfully, SATAKEAtnr, the Soma for
thine exhilaration, — that portion which (the gods)
assigned thee, Indea, lord of the virtuous, who aft
the victor over all (hostile) hosts, the conqueror of
many, the subduer of the waters, the. leader of the
Maruts.
6. Wielder of the thunderbolt, reverence the praise
of the Ateis ; drink joyfully, Satakeattt, the Soma
for thine exhilaration, — ^that portion which (the gods)
assigned thee, Indea, lord of the virtuous, who art
the victor over all (hostile) hosts, the conqueror of
SIXTH ASHTAXA — THIED ADHYITA.
65
many, tlie suMner of the waters, the leader of the
Maruts.
7. Hear (the praises) of StItaswa offering the
libations, as thou hast heard (those) of Atei engaged
in holy rites : thou alone, Indea, hast defended
Teasadastit in battle, animating his prayers.
v-' SfeA VII. (XXXVII.)
Deity and RuM as before : tbe metre of the first verse is Atija-
gait ; of the rest MahdpanUi,
1. Thou protectest, Indea, lord of rites, with all Varga
protections in combats with enemies, this sacrifice
of him who offers thee the libations:* slayer of
Veitea, irreproachable wielder of the thunderbolt,
drink of the Soma at the mid-day solemnity.
2. Fierce Indea, defeater of hostile eirmies, lord
of rites, (thou protectest) with all thy protections ;
slayer of Veiti^, irreproachable wielder of the
thunderbolt, dfink of the Soma at the mid-day
solemnity.
3. Thou shinest the sole sovereign of this world,
Indea, lord of , rites, "vnth all thy protections ; slayer
•of Veitea, irreproachable wielder of the thunderbolt,
drink of the Soma at, Ihe mid-day solemnity.
4. Thou alone, Indea, lord of rites, separatest the
* Sayana explains Brahma by Brahmandn, and tabes tbe
whole danse as, ‘fO Indra, protect these Brahmans -with all thy
protections in combats with enemies, (protect) those who offer
thee the libation.”
56
EIG-TEDA SAIfHITA.
combined worlds (heaven and earth) with all thy
protections; slayer of Vritea^ irreproachable wielder
of the thunderbolt, drink of the 8oma at the mid-
day solemnity.
5. Thou, lord of rites, art sovereign over our pros-
perity and gains, with all thy protections ; slayer of
Vmtea, irreproachable wielder of the thunderbolt,
drink of the Soma at the mid-day solemnity.
6. Thou art for the strength (of the world) ; thou
protectest with all thy protections, but thou needest
no defender,* Iekra, lord of rites ; slayer of Vmtea,
irreproachable wielder of the thunderbolt, drink of
the Soma at the mid-day solemnity.
7. Hear -the praises of StIvAswa eulogizing thee,
as thou hast heard those of Atri engaged in pious
rites; thou alone, hast protected Trasadasytt in
battle, augmenting his vigour.
sdKTA Tin. (xxxvin.)
The deities are -Aeiri and Ikdsa ; the RisM as before : the metre
is QdyatrL
Varga XX. 1. Indra and Agri, you are the pu-e ministrants,
(encouragers) in offerings and sacred rites, — hear-
(the praise) of this (thy worshipper).^
2. Destroyers (of' foes), riding in- one chariot,
— ... s.
' S4ma Teda, II. 4. 2. 3 [II. 4^1. 10. 1].
^ So Sayaria takes m twam dntha. Does it mean, didst
tkou not protect
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHTIYA.
57
slayers of Veitiia, invinoible ; hear, Ixdua and Agni, ,
(the praise) of this (thy worshipper).^
3. The leaders of rites have effused by the stones
this sweet exhilarating (beverage) for you;, hear,
Indea andAain, (the praise) of this (thy worshipper).^.
4. Associated in praise, accept the sacrifice;
leaders of rites, Indea and A'gni, come hither to the
Soma effused for this solemnity.
5. Accept these sacrifices whereby you have borne
aivay the oblations ; leaders of rites, Indea and Agni,
come hither.
6. Accept this my earnest praise, following the
path of the. GayatH ; leaders of rites, Indea and
Agni, come hither.
7. Eich with the spoils of victory, come, Indea Varga ytt.
and Agni, to drink of the Soma, with the deities
astir in the morning.
8. Hear the invocation, Indea and Agni, of Sya-
visWA pouring out the effused juice, (and) the
Ateis, to drink of the Soma.
9. I invoke you both, Indea and Agni, as the
sages have invoked you, for your protection, (and)
to drink of the Soma.
10. I solicit the protection of Indea and Agni,
associated with SaeaswatI,* to whom this Qdyatri
hymn is addressed.
1 S£ma Yeda, II. 4. 2. 4 [II. 4. 1. 10. 2].
* im. 11. 4. 2. 5 [II. 4. 1. 10. 3].
^ Sayana explains Baruswativatoh as stutimatoh^ ‘^possessors of
praise,”
68
EIQ-YEDA SANHiri.
SfeA IX. (XXXIX.)
Aobti is the deity ; the is XIbhAka, of the race of Xajtwa :
the metre is MaMpanhti.
Varga YYTT. 1. I glorify the adoraWe Agot, (I invite) Agni
• with praise to the sacrifice, 'may Agni brighten the
gods -vrith the oblations at onr sacrifice : the sage
Agni traverses both (worlds, discharging his func-
tion) as messenger of the gods ; may all our adver-
saries perish.
2. (Propitiated), Agni, by our new praise, baffle
the hostile attempts of these against, our persons,-
consume the enemies of those who are liberal (at
sacred rites ) ; may all onr foolish* assailants depart
from hence, may all our adversaries perish.
3. I pour into thy mouth, Agni, praises as others
(fill it) with delicious butter; do thou amidst the
gods achnowledge (them), for thou art ancient, the
giver of happiness, the messenger of Vivaswat;'
may all our enemies perish.
4. Agni grants whatever food is solicited; in-
voked with offerings, he bestows on the worshippers
happiness springing from tranquillity and the enjoy-
ment (of objects of sense) he is, requisite for all
invocation of the gods: may all our adversaries
perish.
' This is Sayana’s interpretatioa of sam cha yosoha mayah,
•which he explains, santinimittam vishayayogajanitam cha mhham.
* Sayana here explains amwtah by AmiidK&h, but in if. 31. 9
he explained it by IddhaMh.
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — IHIED ADHTATA. 59
5. Agni is known by Ms most powerful and mani«
fold deeds : he is the invoker of the eternals ; * sur-
rounded by victims, he proceeds against the foe : f
may all our adversaries perish.
6. Agni knows the births of the gods ; Agxi Varga xxiir.
knows the secrets of mankind: Agni is the giver
of riches ; Agni, duly worshipped with a new (obla-
tion), sets open the doors (of opulence) : may aU our
adversaries perish.
7. Agdh has his abode among the gods, he (dwells)
among pious people: he cherishes with pleasure
many pious acts, as the earth all (beings) ; a god
adorable among the gods : may all our adversaries
perish.
8. Let us approach that Agni who is ministered
to by seven priests;’- who takes refuge in all rivers,
who has a triple dwelling place, the slayer of the
Basyu for Mandhatei, J who is foremost in sacrifices :
may all our adversaries perish.
9. Agni, the sage, inhabits the three elementary
^ Yo ^gnih saptamdmishah is left unexplained by the com-
mentator, The translation is conjectural. [Professor Muller,
Hist. Sansk. Lit. p. 493, takes it as ‘‘acting as seyen priests.’’]
^ Sayana explains ^mwatindm as hahwindm devatdndm*
f TM. is Sayana’s explanation oi pratwyam, but in viii. 26. 8^
he explained it as yajmm. Sayana explains dahsMndhhih by
jpasuhML B. and R. by “Opforlohn.”
X S%ana understands Mandhatpi as being the same as Man-
dhatri the-son of Yuvana§iwa.
60
Eia-VEDA. SAlTHITi.
regions ; * may he, intelligent, and richly decorated,
the messenger (of the gods), here perform worship
to the thrice eleven deities, and satisfy all our
desires : may all our enemies perish.
10. Thou, ancient Agni, among men and gods,
art alone to us the lord of wealth ; the flowing waters
confined within their own banks flow around thee :
may all our enemies perish.
StfETA X. (XL.)
The deities are and Aeisri j the MsM is NdhMha : the
metre of the second verse is Sahwarix of the twelfth
TruhtxibJi ; of the rest MaMpanktL
Varga xxiY. 1. Yictotious Indea and Agni, bestow upon us
riches whereby we may destroy our powerful enemies
in combats as fire fanned by the wind consumes the
forests : may all our enemies perish.
2. Do we not invoke you both ?t we worship espe-
cially Iotea, who is the strongest leader of men : he
comes occasionally with his horses to bestow upon
us foodjJ he comes to partake of the sacrifice: may
all our enemies perish.
3. They two, Itoea and Agni, are present in the
midst of battles : do you two, leaders of rites, who
are really sages, when solicited (by the wise), accept
TridhdtiLni may mean only ‘‘threefold/^ as in v. 47. 4; hut
cf. i 154, 4.
f Or rather, we do not invoke yon hoth.’^
J Sayana takes it, “ for the receiving of food/'
SIXIH ASHIAKA — THIED ADHtiXA.
61
the offering (from him) who seeks your friendship :
may all our enemies perish.
4. Worship, like I^'abhIka,^ Indka and Agni with
sacrifice, and praise, of whom is this universe, upon
whose lap this heaven and the spacious earth deposit
their treasure : may all our enemies perish<
5. Address like HabhAea your praises to Indra
and Agot, who overspread (with their lustie) the
seven-rooted ocean whose gates are hidden,® and of
whom IiTDRA by his might is the lord : may all our
enemies perish.
6. Cut off (the foe), Iitdra, as an old (pruner) the
protruding (branch) of a creeper; humble the
strength of the Dasa ; may we divide his accumu-
lated treasure (despoiled) by Indea: may all our
enemies perish.
7. Inasmuch as these people honour Indea andvatgaxxv.
Agsi with gifts and with praises, so may we, defy-
ing hosts, overcome (our foes) with our warriors ; let
us ptaise those seeking praise:’ may all our enemies
perish.
8. Offering oblations, (the worshippers) approach
^ The J^ishi of the hymn is NabUlca^ perhaps a patronymic :
the text has here ITMdka.
* There is no explanation pf this. Yd sajptaludhmm arnmam
iihmahdram a^ornutah is explained Ba^famidam pikita’-dkodram
a/rnavam tejdbhir dchchhddayatah,
* Vanuydma mnmhyataTij the comment oddly enough explains
stutim ichchhantah satriin mmydma. [The original rather means,
“let ns prevail over those who desire to conquer.’’]
62
EIQ-VEDA SANHITA.
to the worship of Indea and Aaui, who are of a
white complexion, and rise from below with bright
raye to heaven : they verily have liberated the waters
from bondage : may all our enemies perish.
9. Indka, wielder of the thunderbolt, instigator
(of acts), may the numerous merits, the many excel-
lences of thee, who arc the bestower of affluence
and of male offspring, perfect our understandings ; ^
may all our enemies perish.
10. Animate with praises that brilliant adorable
ImoRA, the distributor (of riches), who by his might
breaks the eggs of Sttshna : ^ may he conquer the
celestial waters : may all our enemies perish.
11. Animate that Indea to whom sacrifice is due,
— sincere, bountiful, adorable ; him who frequents
sacrifices,, who breaks the eggs of Sushna ; thonhast
conquered the celestial waters : may all our enemies
perish.
12. Thus has a new hymn been addressed to
IiTDEA and Agni, as was done by my father, by
Mandhaisi, by Angieas ; cherish us with a triply
* The meaniiig of this verse, even with the help of the scholiast,
is far from intelligible. [^Sdyam would seem to take it thus :
Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, instigator (of acts), of thee,
the gladdener, thje brilliant, the hero, the wealth-bestower, nume-
rous (or * ancient,’ cf. iv. 23. 3) are the comparisons, numerous
(or ^ancient’) are the praises, which exercise our understandings.’’
In his Comm, on iv. 23. 3 he takes upamdtayah as ddndniJ]
* §wthnasya dnddni, “egg-bom offspring:” andajdtdm apa-
tydni, according to the scholiast.
SIOTH ASHTAZA. — THIED ^HTi-TA. 63
defended dwelling:' may we be the lords of
riches.
StJeta XI. (XLL)
The deity is Taetoa: theiZMAfNlBHAKA.; the metre JfoidpswW.
1. Offer praise to that opulent Taetjna, and to Taiga xxvL
the most sage Maetjts ; (Vabona) who protects men
by his acts,* as (the herdsman guards) the cattle :
may all our enemies perish.
2. (I praise) with a like praise, with the praises
of (my) progenitors, with the eulogies of UiBHiKA,
that VAEtWA who rises up in the Ticinity of the
riyers, and in the midst (of them) has seyen sisters: *
may all our enemies perish.
3. He embraces the nights : of goodly a^ect, and
quick of moyement,^ he encompasses the universe
by his acts : all who are desirous (of his favour)
^ THdhdtuTid samiand^ triparvand grihena^ with a house of
three joints,” — stories ? [In i. 34. 6, tridMtu sarma is explained
as vdtiipiUashshma-dhdtidrayasamanavishayam suhhami in i.85. 12,
§anm ^idMtiini is explained as pritMvydduhu trisha stMneshv
avmtMfdni suJcMni gnhdni
* Teiy unintelligible, although Ydsha (x. 5) is cited in ex-
planation : smdhundpi upodaye saptaswasd sa madhyamah, [Prof.
Eoth translates it, der am Ausgang der Fliisse ist, der sieben
Schwestem (cf. viii. 69. 12) Herr ist der mittlere.”]
* hmmnd in the Comm, seems lo^be a nuareading for
’Jtarfndni, ‘‘who protects men’s religious acts.”
f Sayana explains mrah as uisaranasilaft. Bohtlingli and
Eoth’s Diet takes it as acc. plur. of usrd, “ morning.”
64
BIG-TEDA SANHITI.
diligently offer him worship at the three diurnal
rites: may all our enemies perish.
4. He, who visible above the earth sustains the
points of the horizon, is the measurer* (of the
universe); that is the ancient abode of Yaetota, to
which we have access; he is our lord, like the
keeper of cattle : may all our enemies perish.
5. He who is the sustainer of the worlds, who
knows the hidden and secret names of the (solar)
rays, he is the sage who cherishes the acts of sages,
as the heaven cherishes numerous forms : may all
our enemies perish,
6. In whom all pious acts are concentrated, like
the nave in the (centre of the) wheel, worship him
quickly who abides in the three worlds ; as men
assemble the cattle in their pasture, so do (our foes)
collect their horses (to assail us) : may all our enemies
perish.
7 . He who, passing amidst those (regions- of the
firmament), gives refuge to all their races, and all
the deities precede the chariot of Varuna, when
manifesting his glories to perform his worship : may
all our enemies perish.^
' The commentary here is defective, and the passage very
obscure; the translation is not entitled to any reliance. [Query,
“who going through those regions (of space) rests on aU their
tribes, surrounding all homes, — all the gods are engaged in
worship before Yaruna^s dwelling; may all our enemies perish.^’]
* Sayana explains mdtd by mrmdldy “ the maker.”
SIXTH ASHJAXA — THIBD ADHTITA.
66
8- He is the hidden ocean ; swift he mounts (the
heaven) as (the sun) the sky ; when he has placed
the sacrifice in those (regions of the firmament), he
demolishes with his brilliant radiance the devices
(of the Asums)i he ascends to heaven: may all our
enemies perish.
9. Of whom, present in "the three worlds, the
brilliant rays pervade the three realms beyond, the
eternal dwelling of Vabota,* he is lord of the
seven (rivers) : may all our enemies perish.
10. He who in his successive functions emits his
bright rays or turns them dark,^ first made his resi“
dence (in the firmament), and, as the unborn sun
the sky, supports with the pillar (of the firmament)
both heaven and earth : may all our enemies perish.
SiinA xn. (XXII.)
The deity of the first triplet is Vaotna ; the metre Trishfulh :
the deities of the second triplet are the Aewnss, and the metre
Anushfuhh ; the Buhi is AbceakIn’as or XiiBEiEA.
1. The possessor of all wealth, the powerful xx^i.
Vaeuna, has fixed the heaven; he has meted the
measure of the earth; he presides as supreme
monarch over all worlds ; these all are the functions
of Vaeotta.
^ As presiding over day and night*
♦ Sayapa compares ii. 27. 8, and seems to explmn it, ‘'of
whom, the ruler, the brilliant rays pervade the three earths and
the three -heavens above, — ^his dwelling-place is immoveable/'
VOL. V. F
66
BIG- VEDA SAiraiTA.
2. Glorify then the mighty Vaeota ; reverence
the wise guardian of ambrosia J may he bestow upon
us a thrice sheltering* habitation; may heaven and
earth preserve us abiding in their proximity.
3. Divine Varota, animate the sacred actsf of
me engagiag ia this thy worship : may we ascend
the safe-hearing vessel by which we may cross over
all difficulties.
4. The sacred stones, Aswijts, the pious wor-
shippers, NisATVAS, have fallen upon their sacred
functions, (to induce you) to drink the Soma ; may
aU our enemies perish.
6. In like manner as the pious Atei, Aswuts,
invoked you with hymns, so (I invoke you), Ifi-
SATTAS, to drink the Soma: may all our enemies
perish.
6. In like manner as the wise invoke' you for
protection, so do I invoke you, NIsatyas, to drink
&.e_Soma : may all our enemies perish.
* TrimrMha is explained by Sayana in wi. 46. 9 as shelter-
ing from cold, heat, and rain ; ” here as truthdnam.
f Eratum dahham* Sayapa, ‘‘sharpen the knowledge and
powe^.”
SIXTH ASHTAXA — THIED ADHTiTA.
m
ANFVAKA VI.
SlkiA 1. (XLIII.)
The deity is Aokt ; Vir^a, of the race of Anqieas, is the 4^ishi :
the metre is G&yatri.
1. These repeaters of laudations recite the praises varga rrTTr
of the wise creative Agm, the uninterrupted sacri-
ficer.*
2. AgnIj Jatavebas, to thee, the liberal ofifererf
(of the oblation), the aH-beholding, I repeat earnest
praise.
3. Thy fierce flames, Agni, consume the forest, as
wild animals:}: destroy (the plants) with their teeth.
4. The consuming smoke-bannered fires, borne by
the wind, spread diversely in the firmament.
6. These fires separately kindled are beheld like
the tokens of the dawn.
6. Black dust is raised by the feet of Jdtavedas vaiga ttt.
when he moves, when Agni spreads § on the earth.
^ Asfrita-yajvan is more literally ‘‘the invincible sacrificer*’’
f Saya^a more frequently explains ^raiihary aa “to accept,
desire.^^
X AfoMh is an obscure word. Sayana explains it as Aroohor
mdndli pasavaft, but* the Comm, to §atap. Br. iii. 1.2. 18 explains
it- as madhye ehhidrdni. May it mean here “ (tby fierce flames)
glancing, as it were, through the trees’’? Cf. Bohtlingk and
Both, mh voce.
§ S%ana translates Agnir yad rodhati hehamif “ when Agni
heaps (the dry trees) on the ground.” Bohtlingk and Both take
rodhati as from ruk^ sc. “whatever grows on the earth,*” thus
connecting these last words of v. 6 with v. 7.
68
KIG-TEBA SANHITX.
7. Making tke plants Ms food, Agni devouring
them is never satiated, but falls again upon the
young (shrubs).
8. * Bowing down (the trees) with Ms tongues (of
flame), and blazing with splendour, Aqni shines in
the forests.
9. Thy station, Agni, is in the waters: thou
clingest to the plants, and becoming their embryo,
art bom again.
10. Thy lustre, Agni, lambent in the mouth of
the ladle, shines when offered from (the oblation of)
butter.
Vaiga xxsi. 11. Let US adore with hymns Agni, the granter
(of desires), the eater of the ox, the eater of the
marrow, on whose back the libation is poured.
12. We solicit thee, Agni, invoker of the gods,
performer of sacred rites,* with oblations and with
fuel.
13. Holy Agni, to whom oblations are offered,
we worship thee in like manner (as thou hast been
worshipped) by Bhuigb, by Mantis, by Angieas.
14. Thou, Agni, art kindled by Agni; a sage by
a sage, a saint by a saint, f a Mend by a friend.
^ Sayana takes mrenyahrato, ‘‘0 thoa who possessest desiraMe
knowledge.’’
f San and said are explained by Sayana as respectively vtdya-
mdnah and vidyamdnma; and he refers to a passage in the
.Aitareya Brakmana, i. 16, whick describes kow tke fire produced
by Motion from tke two aranu is tkrowij into tke jthavaniya
SIXTH A8HTAKA — THIRD ADHTITA.
69
16 . Do thou, Agni, bestow upon the pious donor
(of the oblation) infinite riches and food with male
progeny.
16. Agni, (our) brother, who art elicited by Vsrga
strength, who hast red horses, and art (the per-
former) of pure rites, he propitiated by this my
praise.
17. My praises hasten to thee, Agni, as cows
enter their stalls (to give milk) to the thirsting
calves,
18. To thee,^ Agni, who art the chief of the
Angirasas, all people have severally recourse* for
the attainment of their desires.
19. The wise, the intelligent, the sagacious, pro-
pitiate Agni with sacrifices for the attainment of
food.
20. Preparing the sacrifice in their mansions, (the
worshippers) adore thee, Agni, the powerful, the
bearer (of the oblation), the invoker of the gods.
21. Thou art the lord, thou beholdest all people
^ Tajur Veda, 12, 116,
fite, in the i^tithyeshti ceremony. ‘ In the verse tw,aM h^agne,
etc., the one vipra (a sage) means one Agni, the other vipra the
other Agni; the one san (being, existing) means the one, the
other san (in said) the other Agni.*’ (Hang’s transl.)
^ YemvTB seems to be used here as in i. 185, 1 ; iii. 59. 8.
In the latter place S^yana explains it, ‘‘offer oblations.”
Bohtlingk and Roth render it in all three places, “ sich fugeu,
gehorchen, treu bleiben.”
70 MO-VEDA SAOTITl.
alike in many places;* ve therefore invoke thee in
battles.
22. Adore that Agni who shines brightly when
fed with offerings of buttel:, who hears this onr
invocation.
23. We invoke thee, Agni, who art JItavbdas,
listening (to our praises), exterminating our foes.
24. I praise this Agni, the sovereign of men, the
wonderful, the superintendent of holy acts ; may he
hear me.
25. We invigorate like a horse that (Agni) whose
might is everywhere present ; who is noble, strong, f
and benevolent.
26. Slaying the malignant, (driving away) our
enemies, everywhere consuming the Bdkshasas^ do
thou, Agni, blaze forth with bright (radiance).
27. Chief of the Angirasas, whom men kindle as
did Manus ; Agni, hear my words.
28. We worship with praises thee, Agot, who
art born- in heaven or in the waters, elicited by
strength.^
29. All these people, the inhabitants (of the earth).
So. as tlie sun iiK heayen, as lightning in the waters {Le, in
the firmament), and as generated on earth by friction.
^ This y. also occurs in viii. 11.8. S4yana here reads jprahhu
for prahhuh, bnt against onr MSS.
f Sayana takes mwryam na vdpmm as **like a strong man.’^
BohtHngk and Both translate mar^a ‘‘Hengst.*^
SIXTH ASHTAXA-^THIBP ABHYIYA. 71
offer sererally to thee (sacrificial) food for thy eating
and enjoyment.^
30. Agni, through thee, may we, shilled in sacri-
fices and beholding men -all our days,* pass’ through
(all) difficulties.
31. We invoke with cheerful and delightful Tar;
(hymns) the gladdening Agni, dear to many, who™
abides in the sacrifice with purifying brilliance.
32. Shining forth, Agni, like the rising sun, dis-
playing thy strength by thy beams, thou destroyest
the darkness.
33. We solicit from thee, strong Agni, that
desirable wealth which is in thy gift and which
decayeth not.
SfeA II. (XLIV.)
The deity is Agnj : Vib^pa of the race of AifeiBAS is the
the metre is Gdyatri,
1. Honour Agni with fuel, awaken him, the Varga
guest, with (libations of) butter ; offer the oblations
in him.®
2. Agni, accept my praise, be invigorated by this
prayer ; be favourable to our hymns.
3. I set Agni in the front as the messenger, I
^ Prof. "Wilson’s translation of the eighth Mandala ends here ;
for the remainder the Editor alone is responsible.
* Bdhtlingk and Roth, explain nrichahkmah and the scholiast’s
nrlmm drasJifdrah by unter Menschen lebend.”
® Terses 1, 4,^5, 6,^12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, of this hymn are
found in the Sama Veda; vei^ses 1, 16, in the Vaj. Sanh.
72
EIG-VEDA SANHITi.
adore Mm aa the hearer of the oblations ; may he
cause the gods to sit down here.
4. Brilliant Agni, as thou art kindled, thy great
flames start blazing up.
5. Let my ladles, filled with butter, come near
thee, 0 propitious one ; ^ Agni, receive our oblations.
6. I worship Agni, the exhilarating invoker (of
the gods), the priest,^ him who shines forth with
various lustre, and is rich in brilliance; may he
give ear.
7. (I worship) the beloved Agni, the ancient
adorable invoker (of the gods), the wise,® the fre-
quenter of sacrifices.
8. Agni, best of the do thou, continually
accepting these our oblations, conduct the sacrifice
at the due seasons.
9. Brilliant-flamed giver of good, do thou, the
knower, when kindled, bring the host of the gods
Mther.
10. We solicit the wise invoker (of the gods),
the beneficent, the smoke-bannered, the resplendent,
the banner of the sacrifices.
^ S^yana takes haryata here as kdmayamdna\ he more usually
explains it as amiable,’’ ‘‘beloved,” sprihankya.
^ Sayana here explains ritwijam as ritau yasJitavyam, ‘'he who
is to be worshipped in due sedson;” in v. 22., 2 he explained it
as ritvryashtdrami “he who offers in due season.”
® Kmihratum is here explained as krdntalarmdnam (him by
whom rites are performed ?) ; in iii. 2. 4, and iii. 14. 7, it was
explained as hrdntaprajna and sarvajna (cf. also i. 1. 5). It pro-
bably means “ possessing wise might.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHTITA.
73
11. Divine Agni, produced by strength, do thou
protect us from the injurer, tear asunder our enemies.
12. The wise Agni,, beautifying his body with
the ancient hymn, has grown in might through the
intelligent hymner.
13. I invoke Agni of purifying lustre, the son of
(sacrificial) food,^ in this inviolable sacrifice.
14. 0 Agni, adorable to thy friends,® sit down
with the gods on our sacred grass with thy re-
splendent radiance.
16. Whatsoever mortal worships the divine Agni
in his house (for the attainment) of wealth,® to him
he gives riches.
16. Agni, the head (of the gods), the summit of
heaven, — ^he the lord of the earth, — gladdens the
seed^ of the waters.
17. Agni, thy pure, bright, shining fiames send
forth thy splendours,
18. Agni, lord of heaven, thou presidest over
(all) that is to be desired or given ; may I be thy
eulogist for happiness;
19. Thee, Agni, the wise (praise), thee they re-
^ For {irjo napdtam, see Vol. III. p. 32, note,
* In viii. 19. 25 S^a^a explained mitramahas as anuhkla-
dkptiman, ‘‘beneficently shining;” here as mitrdndm fiijankya,
® Tanvah, dhanasya pmptyartham {Qi,NaighAL 10), so Sayana;
but this seems very doubtful ; rather, “ in his own house.”
* Retdnsi^ the movable and immovable productions of the
"‘reative waters.
74 EIChTEDA SANHEll.
j<ace with (pious) rites ; may our praises invigorate
thee.
20. We ever choose the fiiendship of Aghji, the
unharmed, the strong, the messenger, the praiser
(of the gods).
Vaiga XL. 21. The pure Aorsn shines forth when worshipped,
—the purest offerer, the pure priest, the pure sage.*
22. May my rites also and my praises ever in-
vigorate thee ; Auhi, take thought of cfur friendship.
23. Agni, if I were thou or thou wert I,® thy
wishes here should come true.
24. Asm, thou art rich in splendour, the lord of
wealth, and the giver of dwellings; may we too
abide in thy fevour.
25. Aoirr, my loud praises proceed to thee, obser-
vant of pious rites, as rivers to the sea.
Vaiga 3X1. 26. I glorify with hymns the ever-young Aoni,
the lord of men, the wise, the all-devouiing,® the
performer of many acts.
27. Let us seek with our hymns Agni, the con-
ductor of the sacrifices, the mighty, the sharp-jawed.
28. May this (my femily) also be thy worshippers,
adorable* Agni; O purifier, give them happiness.
* I follow Prof. Wilson in rendering iavi as “ sage” (eh
ad B.T. i. 31^ 2), but Saya^a here, as more nsnally, interprets
it as hrdntaharman.
* That is, if I were rich like thee and thon wert poor like me.
’ Timdiam, the deTonrer of the entire oblation (Sayana).
Sayana here takes smtya as hhtganlya, elsewhere he generally
expla^ it sapJidapradd.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHTITA. 75
29. Thou Torily art wise, seated at the ohktion,
wakeful as the seer (for the welfere of living beings);
Asni, thou eveV shinest in the sky.
30. Wise Aoni, giver of dwellings, extend our
lives, before sins or assailants (destroy us).
SW ni. (XLT.)
The deities of ttie first verse are IsisiL and Aoiri; the deity of
the rest of the hymn is Indka ; Tei^oka of the race of EA^a.
is the J^isM : the metre is Gdi/atrl.
1. Those (sages) who Mndle Aount, those of whom vwgaxui.
the eyer-young Ikdea is the Mend, continually
spread the sacred grass.^
2. Ample is their fuel, many their hymns, broad
their sacred shaving,® — whose Mend m the ever-
young Indea.
3. Though before powerless to combat,® the hero
by his might now subdues une surrounded by allies,
(if helped by those) of whom the ever-young Iotiea
is the friend.
4. The slayer of Yehea, as soon as he was bom.
^ SamaTeda, 1. 2. 1. 4. 9; stanzas 1-3 occur in Sam^ Yeda,
II. 5. 2. 21. 1-3. Cf. also Taj. Sanli. 7. 32; 83. 24.
^.SwwUf wMck Sayana leaves unexpMned, is the first shaving
or splinter firom the sacrificial post ; see IndiscJie Stud. ix. p. 222.
For its use in the sacrifice, see Eaty. 6, 4, 12; 6, 9,. 12.
® Ayuddhah might mean ** unopposed,” hut Sayana explains
it as prdg ayoddhd eva, •which seems to mean as in the text,
though S^apa explains it differently in i. 32. 6.
76
Ria-VEDA SANHXrl.
Var^ XLIII.
Vaiga XLIV.
seized Ms arrow, and asked Ms motker, “ who ar^
the terrible, who are renowned ?
5. Thy strong mother answered thee, “ he who
wishes thy enmity fights .as the elephant® in the
mountain.”
6. 0 Maghayan, do thou hear (our praise) ; who-
soever desires of thee, thou bearest to Mm his
request ; what thou fixest is sure.
7. When Indra, the warrior, goes to battle,
desirous of gallant steeds, he is the foremost of
the lords of chariots.
8. Thunderer, smite all thy enemies that they
may be scattered, — ^be to us a most abundant
benefactor.
9. May Indra, whom no foes can harm, send
before us a beautiful chariot for the acquisition (of
our desires).
10. Strong Indra, may we escape thy enemies ;
may we come to thee abundantly for thy gifts, rich
in cattle.
11. (May we come), thunderer, slowly approach-
ing thee, — may we be rich in horses, possessed of
* Sdiaa Yeda, I. 3. 1. 3. 3.
‘ Apsa^ is elsewhere explained by Sdyana as “personal charms,”
“ teeth,” etc. (i. 124. 7), or “beauty” (t. 80. 6) ; here he explains
it as “a beautiful (elephant).” Does he take it as = dantin ?
Qrassmanu explains it as meaning the bosom, or rather that
part of the dress which covers it ; and hence he takes it here as
meaning the cloud which covers the earth and the mountains
(t.s. Vritra).
SIXTH ASHTAEA — ^THIED ADHTAYA, 77
aTrand^iit treasure, ready to offer, aud unharmed
(by calamity).
12. (The sacrifieer) gives to thy praisers day by
day hundreds and thousands of excellent and aus-
picious gifts.
13. We know thee, Istdea, as the conqueror of
wealth, the breaker of firm obstacles, the opener,^
and (guarding from harm) as a house.
14. Wise (Iitdra), overcomer of enemies, when
we solicit thee the barterer,® may the drops of the
Soma exhilarate thee the exalted one.
15. Grant to us the possessions of that rich man
who, through his niggardliness, reviles thee as to
thy bestowal of wealth.
16. These friends, effusing the Soma^ look on Var^a xlv.
thee, Indea, as men with their fodder ready (look)
on their cattle.®
17. We invoke thee here from afar for our pro-
tection, who art never deaf, and whose ears are
always open to hear.
^ Sayana explains dddrinam as ddartdram (cf* riii. 24. 4), and
seems to connect it with drilkd drujai^i. It is explained in the
St. Peterstte Piet, as ^Sanziehendj rekend/’ and by Gnstssrnann
as erschliessend, ,zuganglich machend.”
* Fani seems used here as in i. 33. 3, where it is said, ^/Mighty
Tndra, bestowing upon us abundant wealth, take not advantage
of us, like a dealer,’’ md panir hhiur mmad adhi, i.e. do not de-
mand from us the strict price of thy gifts. Here Indra is repre-
sented as selling them for the olfered 5(?W£35-libations.
^ Sama Veda, L 2. 1. 5, 2.
78
Eia-TEDA SAJTHITi.
18. If thou hearest this our prayer; then display
thy invincible power and be our nearest kinsman.
19. Whenever, repairing to thee in our distress,
we offer our praises, attend to us, Indka, as a giver
of cattle.
20. Lord of might, we lean on thee as the aged
on a staff ; we long for thee in the sacrifice.
Varga 5XVI. 21. Sing the praise to Indba, who is rich in wealth
and bountiful, whom none can stay in battle.
22. When the Soma is effused, I pour out the
Ebation to thee, showerer (of blessings), for thy
drinking; satiate thyself, enjoy the exhilarating
draught.^
23. Let not fools, seeking protection, nor mockers
trouble thee ; favour not the enemies of the 'BraJmans?
24. Let (the worshippers) gladden thee here with
the Eoma mixed with milk, for the attainment of
great wealth ; drink it as the buffalo a lake.
25. Proclaim in our assemblies those perpetual
and ever new riches which the slayer of Veitea
sends from afar.
Varga XLVII. 26. Indea drank the Boma offering of Kadeu,
(he smote the enemies) of the thousand-armed;
there did his might .shine forth.®
« Sdma Veda, I. 2. 2. 2. 7 ; II. 1. 2. 7. 1.
® Bralmadwishah, whicli Sayana explains hrdhmandndm d/wenh-
(rln, Betifey (Sama Y. Lex.) translates it, ‘^!Feind der Erom-
raen.’^ TMa and the next verse occur in Sama Y. II. 1. 2. 7. 2, 3.
* Sama Yeda, I, 2. 1. 4. 7. — Sayai^a takes Zairuvah as be-
longing to a rishi named Xadiu;^* but it must be the gen. or
SIXTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHTIyA. 79
27. "Well knowing those (sacrificial) deeds of
Txtevasa and Yadu,* he overcame AhhavItta in
battle.
28. I praise our common (Indea), the debVerer
of your families, the slayer (of your enemies, the
bestower) of riches in cattle.®
29. (I praise) in hymns the mighty Indea, the
augmenter of waters, for the attainment of wealth,
when the Soma is effused with (song) ;
30. Who clove for Teisoka the broad womb-like
cloud, (and made) a path for the cows® to issue
forth.
31. Whatever thou undertakest in thy exhilara-
tion, whatever thou purposest in thy mind or art
thinking to bestow, — 0 Indea, do it not, but bless
us.^
abl. of Kadru, the well-lmowii mother of the nagas. Bertie^
takes the isolated sahasraldhwe as a Yedic dative without gu^a
in the sense of “ battle/' He translates the verse, ‘‘Her Kadru
Trank hat eingeschliirft, Indra zur tausendarmgen Schlacht ! ”
The Sama Veda reads adaMsJita for adeduhta,
^ These names are associated in i. 36. 18 ; 54. 6 ; 174, 9 ; and
elsewhere- Nothing is known of Ahnavdyya. The “St. Petersburg
Diet, takes it as an adj. {a-^-’hnu)^ ‘‘nicht zu leugnen, ni^'ht zn
beseitigen.” Perhaps the sentence may mean, “he prevailed
indisputably in battle."
® Sama Veda, I. 3. 1. 2. 1.
® Go here means “ water, rain."
* Sayana understands this, “do it not, for thou hast done it for
us, — only make us happy." Could it be that the worshipper had
a feeling of nemesis ? or would he monopolize all ?
80
EIG-TEDA. SANHITi.
32. Indra, the least deeds of one like thee are
renowned in the earth may thy care visit me.
33. Thine be those ascriptions of praise, thine
those hymns, through which, Indka, thou blessest
ns.
34. Slay ns not for one sin, not for two, not for
three ; 0 hero, slay ns not for many.
35. I am afraid of one like thee, terrible, the
smiter of enemies, the destroyer, who endures,
hostile attacks.
Varga XLix. 36. Wealthy (Tndea), may I never have to tell
thee of the destitution of my friend or my son may
thy mind be favourable towards me.
37. “Who, 0 mortals,” said (Indra), “unpro-
voked, hath ever, as a friend, slain his friend?
Who fieeth from me ? ” ®
38. Showerer (of benefits), when the ready Soma
was effused, thou didst devour much, without stint,
rushing down like a gamester.^
This seems to be Sayana’s interpretation ; but Dr. Muir gives
a more natural version (Sansk. Texts, vol. v. p. Ill), ‘Uittle has
been heard of as done upon earth by one such as thou art.’*
® Sayana’s interpretation of this verse is very obscure, as he
explains siinam by vriddham ; but the verse is cleared up by his
comment on*ii. 27. 17, where he explains stinam as sknyam^
ddridryam, ** may I never have to tell a kinsman’s destitution to
an opulent, kind, and munificent patron.”
’ This is said by Indra in answer to w. 34, 35.
^ Sayana’s Comm, is lost to much of this vtrse. He explains
asinvan as na hadhnan ; in vii, 39. 6 he explained it as aprati-
SIXIH ASHTAKA — THIE3) A3)HTiTA.
81
39. I draw hither thy two steeds, harnessed to a
oeautiful chariot and yoked .by hymns, since thou
givest wealth to the Brahmans.
40. Cleaye asunder all the hostile hosts, frustrate
their destructive attacks, and bestow on us their
desirable wealth.*
41. Bestow on us, Indra, "that desirable wealth,
which is deposited in strongholds, in fastnesses, and
in places which can stand an attack.®
42. Bestow on us, Indua, that desirable wealth
which all men recognize as given abundantly by
thee.®
ladhnan, “not Mndering the desires of mortals.’* The St. Peters-
burg Diet, renders it “ unersattlich.”
' Sama Yeda, I. 2. 1. 4. 10 ; II. 4. 1. 9. 1.
* Ibid. 1. 3. 1. 2. 4; II. 4. 1. 9. 3. Sayana parsdne
as vimarsanahshame, cf. Muller, mr, lect. p. 32. Benfey takes it
as “a well” (so schol. S.Y. lciLpddi\ and quotes a note from
Stevenson, “ when the English took Poonah, ten lakhs of rupees
belonging to the Peshwa were found built into the side of a well.”
B. and B. take it as “ Abgrund, Kiuft.”
® SdmaYeda, II. 4. 1. 9. 2, withi;ar. led.
YOL. Y,
82
MG- VEDA SANHITi..
Targa I.
FOURTH ADHTIyA.
MANDALA VIII. Continued.
■ AHUVXhA VI. Continued.
Si5kta rv. (XLVI.)
Inbea is the deity of the first twenty Terses, the twenty-ninth,
thirtieth, thirty-first, and thirty-third; that of the twenty-
first and three following verses is the liberality of PEiiror-
sRiVAS the son of KAirfTA; that of the remaining verses is
YAyxj-J the metre varies; the is Vasa the son of Aswa.
1. 0 wealthy I^idea, the leader (of rites), we be-
long to one like thee,® ruler of horses.®
2. Thee, thunderer, we verily know to be the
giver of food, thee we know to be the giver of
riches.
3. 0 Satakeattt, wielding a hundred protections,
whose greatness the worshippers praise with their
hymns.
4. Fortunate in sacrifice is that mortal whom
the guileless Martjts, whom Aetaman and Mitea,
protect.^
^ The schoL on v. 33 remarks that Yayu may he considered
the deity of -vv. 21-24, since even where the gift is the direct
subject, it must be regarded as the result of Tayu’s favour.
^ Sdyana adds, since none other is like thee, we are thine.*'
® Sama Yeda, L 2. 2. 5. 9.
* Ihtd. I. 8. h 2. 3.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — ^FOUETH ADHYItA.
83
5. He wto is directed by Aditya eyer incre^es,
possessing abundance of kine and horses and vigorous
children ; he increases in wealth longed for by many.
6. We solicit a gift -from this Indea, the displayer Varga ii.
of might, the fearless; we soUeit wealth from the lord.
7. In him abide united all secure protections;*
lord of vast wealth, may his gliding steeds bear him
to the expressed Soma juice for his exhilaration.
8. That exhilaration of thine, Indra, which is
pre-eminent, which utterly destroys thy enemies,
which wins wealth from men,’* and is invincible
in battles;
9. Which is invincible in contests, — 0 thou desired
by all, — ^well worthy of praise and the deliverer
(from enemies};® come to our oblations, most mighty
one, giver of dwellings ; may we obtain a stall full
of kine.
10. Lord of wealth, visit us as of old, to give us
cows, horses, and chariots.^
11. Yerily, hero, I find no limit to thy wealth; varga iii.
0 Maohavan, the thunderer, bestow (thy gifts)
quickly upon us, and bless our offerings with
(abundant) food.
12. The graceful Indea, whose friends extol
^ S^yana says tliat tMs may also refer to the troops of the
Marats who accompany Indra.
® Sayapa explains nribhih hy satrulhyal^^ “ from thy foes/’
* Sdyapa explains tarutri in viii. 1. 28 yyyjetrL
* S4ma Veda, L 2* 2. 5. 2-
84
EIQ-YEDA SANHIXA.
him, knows, praised of many, all births; him,
the mighty, all men^ invoke at all times, seizing the
ladles (for the oblation).
18. May Maghavan, the wealthy, the slayer of
Vriiea, stand before us as our defender in battles.
14. At^ the time of the exhilaration of the Soma,
sing, according to your hymns, with a loud voice,
your® wise hero Indea, the humbler of enemies, the
strong the ever worthy to he praised.
15. (Indea), invoked by many, speedily^ give me
wealth; give riches, give abandance of food in
battle.
Varga IV. 10, praise thee), the lord of all riches, the
subduer of this obstructor waging (attacks), —
speedily give us abundant ® (wealth).
17. I desire the coming of thee, the mighty one ;
^ Sayana takes viswe manushdl} as tke priests, adkwaryus,
etc., ^associated with men,’’ sarm adhwarywddayo manmhya-
samlandMmh,
* Sama Yeda, I. 3. 2. 3. 3.
® Sayana takes ^%'=.yiiyam^ or as yushmdham hitdya.
Tacho yathd he explains as ‘*in thd gdyatri or trishtulh metre.”
Benfey translates it, ‘‘im wahren Sinne des Worts.” Ndma
S%ana explains, but apparently without any necessity, satriindm
ndmaJcam, cf. Benfey’s Gloss, wishandman. The St. Petersburg
Diet, takes it as simply freilich, gerade.”
^ It is curious that Sayana seems to have misread the atJia of
the text for adya,
® Here again Sayaiaa seems to read adydpi or apyadya for
atyatha, ~AU should however be connected with the obscure
word Iripyata^.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — ^TOUETH ADHYITA,
85
we give praise with oblations and hymns to the
showerer who hastens readily (to the sacrifioe);
associated with the Maruts, thou art worshipped
of all men;^ I glorify thee with adoration and
praise.
18. (We present) the oblation to those loud-
sounding [Maruts) who rush along with the stream-
ing trains® of the clouds; may we obtain in the
sacrifice the happiness which those deep-roarers
bestow.
'19. (We worship) the crusher of the malevolent;
most powerful Indea, bring to us suitable wealthy
0 inspirer,® — (bring) most excellent (wealth), 0
inspirer.
20. 0 bountiful, most bountiful, mighty, wonder-
ful, best giver of knowledge and supremely truthful,
by thy prowess, universal ruler, (bring to us) in con-
^ Sayana explains vtswamanushdm marutdm iyahshasi as dair
ijyme marutdm samlandM twam* But it would be better to
render it, *‘tbou showest favour to all men and the Maruts’’
(cf. vi. 49. 4), or the Maruts who are known to all men.’’
^ Sayana generally explains ajman by gamanam (as in i. 166. 5)
or mngrdma (as in i. 112. 17) ; here he explains it lahir halakarair
udahaih. Here it seems impossible to resist comparing Yirgil’s
‘‘immensum coelo venit agmen aquariim.”
® Chodayanmate is explained by Sayana as dhanam prerayanti
matir yasya, thou whose mind sends wealth to his worshipper.”
In V. 8. 6 it is applied to the eye, and he there explains it,
^‘having the mind as its instigator.” Bbhtlingk and Both com-
pare V. 43. 9, and translate it, die Andachtleitend, fbrdernd.”
86
EIQ-TEDA SANHItI.
fliets ample wealth, overpowering those who attack
us, and causing enjoyment.'
Varga V. 21. “ Let Mm draw near, who, though not a god,
would receive this complete living gift,^ — since
Vasa the son of Aswa receives it at the dawn of
this (morning) at the hands of Peithxjseavas, the
son of KanIta.” ®
22. “ I have received sixty thousand horses, and
tens of thousands ; — a score of hundreds of camels, —
a thousand brown mares, — and ten times fen thou-
sand cows with three red patches.^
23. “Ten brown horses bear along the wheel
(of my chariot), of mature vigour, of complete power,®
and trampling down obstacles,
24. “ These are the gifts of the wealthy Prithu-
^ Two of tlie epithets in this verse, hhujynm and pkrvyums are
applied in viii. 22. 2 to the chariot of the Aswins ; and ^iirvya
is there explained by Sayana as ** going before (in battle)/’ and
Ihujyu as the Preserver of all.’’
^ This verse is supposed to be spoken by A§wa or his fnendf.
Sayana explains ivat as usual by gammavad^ gavddilaksfiamm^
and p-krtam as pkrmmi but Bdhtlingk and Both take ivat
m=ztgatf ®*such, so great/’ and pkttam in its sense of pious
worcs.”
® Kanita is also explained by Sayana as 'Hhe son of a maiden/’
hanydydh putrah,
* Sayana says, “having the head, back, and sides white (or
bright);” he also omits one daia in his explanation. — ^This and
the two following stanzas are spoken by Ya^a.
® Sayana explains vitmdrdsafy as Icrdntdbaldh prdpMaU vd ;
but it rather means “ having sleek tails.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — POUETH ADHYItA. 87
SEATAS, the son of Ean Ita ; he, bestowing a golden
chariot, has prored himself most liberal and wise,
he has won most abundant fame.”
25. Come to us, Yaytt, to bestow great wealth
and glorious strength; we have offered (libations)
to thee the giver of abundant (wealth), we have
offered immediately to thee the giver of great
(gifts).
26. He^ who is borne on horses and surrounds Varga
himself with thrice seven times seventy cows, — ^he
comes to thee with these ^owa-libations and Soma-
priests, to offer to thee, drinker of the Soma, drinker
of the bright pure Soma.
27. He who of his own will has been pleased to
give me this honoured gift, — ^he, performer of good
works, (has determined) on a pre-eminently good
action, amidst Aeadwa, Aksha, Hahtjsha, and
STJXmTWAN.^
28. He who is self-resplendent in his glorious
body,® who is bright, 0 Tiro, like ghee, has given
me this food, brought by horses, brought by camels,*
brought by dogs. . .
29. I have now received (a gift) dear to the bene-
ficent king, sixty thousand bulls vigorous like horses.
^ So. Frithusravas.
* These are either the officers of Prithu^rayas or other kings.
^ Sayana gives an alternative, ‘‘he who is lord over (the kings)
Uchathya and Tapus.^^
^ The Schol. says that rajm means a camel or an ass.
88
BIG- VEDA SANHITl.
30. As the cows to the herd, so repair the oxen ;
so the oxen repair to me.
31. Since, when the herd were wandering (to the
wood), he called a hundred ?amels (to give them to
me), and two thousand from among the white herds
(of cows),
32. I, the sage, accept the hundred from the slave
Balbtoha, the cowherd;’ we here are thine, 0
Yavu, — those who have Tndea and the gods for
protectors rejoice (through thy favour).
33. This tall maiden, adorned with gold, is led
towards me, Vasa, the son of Aswa.
StJkta V. (XLVII.)
The A'dittas are fhe deities, in the last five verses they are
associated with TJshas : the metre is Mahd^anUi ; the J^isU is
Tbita Xpita (cf. note on v. 13).
Varga vn. 1. MiTEA and Yaeuna, ye are great, and great is
your protection to the offerer ; no evil, Adityas^
harms him whom ye guard from the injurer ; your
aids are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
2. Divine Adityas, ye know the averting of evils ;
as birds (spread) their wings over (their) young,
grant us happiness; your aids are void of harm,
your aids are true aids.
3. Grant us that happiness of yours, as birds
‘ Sayana seems to take taruksha as ga^dswddin&m tdrakdh, but
it i^ given as a proper name in the gauia to Pan. iv. 1. 105. He
says that “ a hundred” means here an, indefinite number.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FOUETH ADHXATA.
89
(spread) their wings ; 0 ye possessed of all wealth,
we solicit all riches suitable for our dwelling ; your
aids are Toid of harm, your aids are true aids.
4. To whomsoever these wise Adityas grant a
dwelling and the means of life, (for him) they
master the wealth of every man;^ your aids are
void of harm, your aids are true aids.
May our sins avoid us as charioteers inacces-
sible places; may we abide in Index’s happiness
and in the protection of the Adityas ; your aids are
void of harm, your aids are true aids.
6. Only by painful means’* does a living man® Varga viii.
obtain the wealth which you bestow ; but he whom
you, divine Adityas, visit, wins great (riches); your
aids are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
7. Him fierce wrath* touches not, nor heavy
(calamity), to whom, Adityas, you have given great®
' The Schol. adds, “ who does not offer sacrifice.”
^ Sc. by penance, religious observances, etc.
^ Say ana explains and du^prdm-yuUah, ‘^endowed with life,’’
just as in iv. 30, 3 be explained it prana-riipem lalena) but it
seems better tb take it in both places as the particle ‘^certainly.”
Might we translate the line, “verily men succumb through the
loss of the wealth given by you ” ? In the second line Dayana
unites d§a vah into one word, dsavak, “ swiftly moving.”
^ I have taken tigmam as agreeing with the neuter tyajm.
Say ana makes it agree with tam, and translates the sentence,
< ‘ him though fierce (or harsh) wrath touches not.”
® Sayana here takes saprathas as*a masculine nom. plural ; but
elsewhere (as i. 22. 15 ; 94, 13) he had explained it properly iib
a neuter nom. sing, agreeing, as here, with sarma.
90
EIQ-VEDA SAOTOTA.
happiness; your aids are void of harm, your aids
are true aids.
8. Deities, may we abide in you as warriors in
their armour ; do you defend us from great evil, do
you defend us from little; your aids are void of
harm, your aids are true aids.
9. May Anm defend us, may Anm grant us
happiness, the mother of the wealthy Mitea, Aeta-
MAE, and Yaeuea; your aids are void of harm, your
aids are true aids.
10. Grant to us, deities, that happiness which is
a refuge, auspicious, and free from sickness, which
is threefold^ and fit for a (secure) shelter; your aids
are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
Varga 12. 11. Adityas^ look down upon us as those who
look from the shore as (men lead) their horses to
a secure Ghat^ so conduct us along a good path;
your aids are void of harm, your aids are true
aids.
12. Let there not he prosperity here to our
powerful (foe), nor to him who threatens or assails
* This phrase tridhdtu is explained hy Sayana’s note on varit-
thya in'vi. 67. 2, and triva/rMha in viii. 18. 21, as protecting
against cold, heat, and wind or wet.
* Saya^a takes spasah as for spastdh, “ visible.” It is derived
from the lost root spas, “to see, ’’.preserved in common Sanskrit
in the words spasa, “a spy,” and spashta, and the mutilated
pasya, cf. -spicio and crKeTtrofiai- Sayana explains the image
“ as a man standing on the shore looks down on the water below
or on some one in it.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA, — ^TOUBTH ADHTlTA.
91
Tis;^ but let there be prosperity to our cattle, our
milch kiue, and our male oflfepring desirous of food ;
your aids are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
13. Deities, whatever evil is manifest, whatever
m concealed, (let it be not found) in Teita Aptta,
keep it far from usj® your aids are void of harm,
your aids are true aids.
14. Daughter of heaven, (IJshas), whatever ilh
omened dream threatens our cattle or ourselves,
fce^ it, 0 brilliant one, far from Teita Apota;®
your aids are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
16. Daughter of heaven, whatever ill-omened
dream threatens Teita Aptta,^ we transfer it to
the worker of gold ornaments or to the maker of
^ Eather, ‘‘ neither to threaten nor to assail us.’’
* Saya^a necessarily interprets the line in this way, as he
holds that Trita J[ptya is the Rishi of the hymn. Prof. Both no
douht gives the true meaning when he says that Trita Aptya
was a deity dwelling in remote distance, and consequently evil
was sought to he transferred to him, cf. Atharva Y.^'xix. 56. 4.
He would render it, ‘‘ keep it far from us in Trita AptyaT See
Hr. Muir’s Sanskrit Texts, vol. v. p. 336.
® Here the dative Triidya Aptydya might suggest the more
appropriate rendering, ^^keep it far away for Trita Aptya^^
'W. 14-15 are prescribed in A^walayana’s Grihya Sutras to he
recited after an unpleasant dream.
^ It is singular that here Sayana gives an alternative inter-
pretation, agreeing with Prof, Eoth’s explanation of stt. 13, 14,
whatever evil dream threatens the worker of gold ornaments
or the maker of garlands, that evil, abiding in Trita Aptya (or
the son of the waters), we Ttitas throw off from ourselves.”
This seems to mean, “ we throw it off on Trita ApiyaT
92 EIG-VBDA SANHITl.
garlands : yonr aids are void of harm, your aids are
true aids.
Varga X. 10. TJsHAS, bear (elsewhere) the ill-omened dream ^
for TniTA and Dwita/ who. eat and do (in dreams)
that (which is eaten and done amiss when awake)
and who obtain that (inauspicious) portion; your
aids are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
17- ®As (in the sacrifice) we put severally together
the proper parts and the hoofs, and as we discharge
a debt, so we transfer all the ill-omened dream that
rests on Aptta f, your aids are void of harm, your
aids are true aids.
18. May we be to-day victorious, and obtain
(happiness); may we be free from evil; Ushas, may
that ill dream depart, of which we were afraid; your
aids are void of harm, your aids are true aids.
^ Le. let tlie eating of honey, etl>, perceived in a dream, pro-
duce happiness as in a -waking state.
^ Here Say ana has only the proper interpretation. For Bwita
cf. Sht. Brahmana, i. 2. 3. 1.
® Sayana’s explanation is, ‘‘as in the sacrifice they place
together the hala^ so. the heart, etc., as fit to be out to piecies,
and -the sc. the hoof, bones, etc., as unfit.’ ^ He also pro-
poses another explanation, in which the hald is the or
“ hoof.” But the words sapha and hold occur together in the
Taitt. Sauhita, vi. 1. 10, where the process of buying the Bourn
is described ; and Sayana thpre takes as tbe eighth part of
a cow, and kdd as a very srnall portion.
* Or we may take it, “ we transfer all the iH-omened dream
to Aptya.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA— POUHTH ADHTItA. 93
stjKiA VI. (XLviir.)
Tie deity is Soma; tie l^isM is PiueATHA, tie son of Kanwa;
tie metre is Trishtuhh, witi the exception of t. 5, wiiei is
Jagati.
1. May I, the wise and devout, enjoy the delicious,
abundantly honoured Sloma food, which all gods and
mortals, pronouncing sweet, seek to obtain.
2. Thou enterest within,^ and, unimpaired, thou
avertest the anger of the gods ; Soma, enjoying the
friendship of Indea, mayest thou bring us to wealth
as a swift (horse) its burden.
3. We drink the Soma, may we become immortal;
we have attained the light (of heaven), we have
known the gods f what now should the enemy do
to us, or what, 0 immortal, should the aggriever do
to the mortal ?
4. 0 Soma, drunk by us, be bliss to our hearts,
as a father is indulgent to a son or a friend to a
friend; 0 Soma, worthy of wide praise, do thou,
wise one, extend our years that we may live.
5. May these glory-conferring protecting Soma-
streams knit together my joints as cows® draw to-
gether a chariot falling in pieces ; may they keep
* Sayana adds, “th.e heart or the sacrificial chamber.”
* Sayana in his comment on this verse (Taitt. Sanhita, iii. 2. 5)
says that “the past tense is used in the sense of •wish,” dhunsA-
dgotanaya IMtarihanirdesa^.
® Qdvah may equally apply to the iSowa-streams, as the Soma
is mixed "with milk, and may be thus considered the product of
the cows.
Varga XI.
94
EIQ-TEDA SAimiTi..
US from a loosely-knit worship may they de-
liyer me from sickness.
Varga XII. • 6. Soma^ kindle me like the ftre ignited by attri-
tion, brighten (our eyes) and make us rich ; I praise
thee now for exhilaration ; come now, full of wealth,
to nourish us.
7. May we partake of thee, effused, with a long-
ing® mind as (men enjoy) paternal wealth; Eng
Soma, prolong our lives, as the sun the world-
establishing® days.
8. Eng Soma^ bless us for our welfare ; we wor-
shippers are thine, do thou recognize it ; the enemy
goes strong and fierce, 0 Soma ; give us not over to
him as he desires.
9. 0 Soma^ thou art the guardian of our bodies,
thou dwellest in each limb as the beholder of men;^
though we impair thy rites, yet, divine one, bless
us, thou who art possessed of most excellent food
and good friends.®
^ When the Somu is drunk, the ceremony becomes consolidated.
* Sayana explains uJiirena (manasd) by ickchJidvatd^ sc. from
ishy 'Ho wish.’’ Modern scholars derive it ficom ishy 'Strength,”
and connect it with tepo?, cf. Homer’s iepov Yaska
(iVzV. i'^. 7) gives three derivations from ish, ‘‘to wish,” khy
“ to go,” and rhh, “ to go.”
^ Sayana derives vdsara from vas, “ to dwell” or “to clothe”
(cf. viii. 6, 30), but it no doubt comes from ms, “to shine,”
the shining days.
* Sayana qualifies nrichahhas as Icarma-netrinam drashfa, “the
b eholder of the performers of rites.”
* Sayana, in vii. 32, 19, explains vasijah as prdsasyah.
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — FOTOTH ADHTITA.
96
10. May I obtain a wholesome friend who, when
quaffed, will not harm me, 0 lord of bay horses;
I ask of IiTDRA a long permanence^ for this Soma
which has been placed withm us.
11. May those irremorable sicknesses depart ; let Vaiga xiii.
those strong (pains) which have made us tremble,
be afraid; the mighty Soma has climbed into us, —
we have attained that (draught) by which men
prolong life.
12. That Soma which, drunk into our hearts, has
entered, immortal, into us mortals,— -to him, fathers,
let us do worship with oblations ; may we abide in
his bliss and favour.
13. Soma, thou in conjunction with the fathers
didst stretch out successively heaven and earth, —
to thee let us do worship with oblations, may we be
lords of wealth.
14. Guardian gods, speak favourably to us; let
not dreams nor the censurer overpower us ; may
we be ever dear to Soma ; possessed of brave off-
spring, may we utter our hymn.
15. Thou, Soma, givest us food from every side ;
thou art the bestower of heaven ; enter us, beholder
* This st. occurs in Taitt. Sanh. ii. 2. 12, but with aohehha for
dyu^. SAyaua there explains yrattram as an epithet of Indra,
as pralca/rtTiena mmandpadam tdrayiidram. The Scholiast adds,
there is nothing contradictory in the praise of Indra occurring in
a hymn especially addressed to the Soma, since Indra is the lord
of the Soma.
96
EIG-TEBA SANHUi.
of men; 0 Soma, reioicing witTx thy protecting
powers/ guard us from behind and before.
ANUViXA TIL
ASHTAKA VI. OONTINTJED.
ADHYIya IV. CoOTiNTrED.
SfetA I. (LX.)’
The deity is Aeiri ; the ^khi is Bhaega the son of Pbaoatha ;
the metre is Frdgdtha,
1. Agni, come hither with the fires, we choose
thee as our inroking priest ; let the presented offer-
ing anoint thee, the chief saerificer,® to sit down on
the sacred giiass,
^ Sayana, as often elsewhere (of. i. 84. 20), understands by
iitayah the Maruts as gantdrak {ava gatau),
® The MSS. of the Eig-Yeda insert between the last hymn and
the present one the eleven apparently spurious hymns called the
Yalakhilya, containing vargas xiv.-xxxi. They are not reckoned
in the division by Mandalas and Anuvakas (thus Sayapa says,
p. 614, there are six siihtaa in the sixth Anuvaka”), but they
are included in that by Ashtakas and Adhyayas, and in the
Sarvannkrama. Professor Aufrecht has omitted them in his edition
of the Eig-Yeda, and given them in the Appendix; and Sayana
takes jio notice of them in his commentary. I have omitted
them in my translation, just as Professor Wilson omitted the
various Khilas in the previous Mandalas ; but it is important to
bear in mind that they are never included in the collections of
Pari^ishtas and Khilas (see Professor MiiUer’s translation, voL i.
p. xxxiv). I propose to attempt a translation of these hymns
in the Appendix.
^ Sama Ycda, II. 7. 2. 7. 1.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FOURTH ADHTITA,
97
2. Anqieas. son of strength, the ladles go to find
thee in the sacrifice ; we praise the ancient AoNi-in
our offerings, the grandson of food, butter-haired.^
3. Agni, thou, wise, art the creator (of conse-
quences); 0 purifier, thou art the invoking priest,
worthy of worship ; bright one, thou art to be praised
in our sacrifices by the priests with hymns, thyself
the chief ministrant worthy to be rejoiced in.
4. Most youthful, eternal one, bring the longing
gods to me guileless, to eat (the oblation) ; giver of
dwellings, approach the well-placed food; rejoice,
being set in thy place with praises.
5. Deliverer Ami, thou, the truthful and the
seer, art widely spread ; 0 kindled blazing one, the
wise praisers wait on thee.^
6. Most resplendent (Agni), shine forth and illu- ^Targa
minate(us); give , happiness to thy people, to thy
worshipper, for thou art great; may my priests®
abide in the bliss of the gods, subduing their
enemies, possessing bright fires.
7. As, Agni, ihou consumest old timber on the
earth, so, cherisher of friends, do thou burn our
injurer, whosoever evil-minded wishes (our ill).
8. Subject us not to a strong mortal enemy,^ nor
^ Similarly Agni is called ghritaj^ruht/ia, butter-backed,” in
V. 4, 3. The pradz^ta-halasa-stkdniga-gwdlah of Sayana seems
to be a mislection for pmdip. cf. v. 37, 1.
* Sama Yeda, 1. 1. 1. 4. 8.
® Sayana explains Biirayah by dotdro medhdvinah^ mmdham
putrddayo vd, hymners or sons, etc.
VOL. V. H
98
Kia-YEDA SANHITI.
to the malevolent ; 0 most youthful, guard us with
thy unharming, delivering, auspicious protections.
9. Agni, protect us by one {ricTi)^ or protect us
by a second ; lord of steength, protect us by three
songs \ protect us, giver of dwellings, by four.^
10. Protect us from every impious® Bdkshasa,
shield us in battles ; we approach thee, our nearest
neighbour, our kinsman, for sacrifice and for increase.®
11. Purifying Agni, bestow upon us food-augment-
ing excellent wealth ; and (bring) us, 0 meter-out of
good, by auspicious guidance, (a treasure) desired by
many and bringing its own fame,^ -
] 2, By which we may escape and destroy in battles
our impetuous weapon-aiming enemies ; 0 thou who
by wisdom establishest our rites^ bless us with food,
prosper our wealth-obtaining offerings.
13. Agni tosses his horns, sharpening them as a
bull;® his sharp jaws are not to be resisted;® he is
mighty-toothed, this son of strength.
14, Since thou spreadest out on all sides, thy
teeth, bull Agni, are not to be resisted ; 0 offerer.
‘ This V. occurs in Sdma Veda, I. 1. 1. 4. 2; II. 7. 2. 4. 1 ;
and in Ycywr Veda, xxvii. 43. In the latter^ MaMdhara explains
the four as the Eich, Tajus, Saman, and Mgada.
* Literally, “ not giving (sacrificial) gifts.”
® Sdma Veda, II. 7. 2. 4. 2.
* md. I. 1. 1. 4. 9.
' Of. Virgil, Georg, iii. 232.
* Sayana in his Conim. curiously takes na twice, once ^ = iva
(Jiatma iva), and then again with pratidhrkhe.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — POTJETH ADHTItA.
99
do thou make our oblation rightly presented j give
us many precious (gifts).
15. Thou sleepest vvithin thy mothers* in the
woods, mortals kindle thee ; unwearied thou hearest
the offerings of the sacriflcer, then thou shinest
among the gods,^
16. The seven priests praise thee, Aeui, giver of Varga
good things and unfailing ; thou cleavest the cloud
with thy fierce splendour; go forth, having overcome
our enemies.®
17. Now that we have out the sacred grass, let us
invoke for you^ Aoxi, Agni the irresistible ; having
placed the oblations, let us invoke Agni, abiding in
many (places), the offerer of sacrifices for men.®
18. (The saerificer) worships thee by praises,
Agni, with the experienced (priests) in the rite
celebrated with beautiful Saman hymns ; bring us
of thine own accord for our protection food of various
kinds which may be always in our reach.
19. Divine Agni, worthy of praise,® thou art
^ This refers to the two aranis or pieces of wood from which
the sacrificial fire' is produced by attrition. Cf. iii. 29. 2.
* Sama Yeda, L 1. 1. 5. 2.
* Sayapa gives another interpretation, taking jandn not as
asmad^irodhi-jmdn but aerndn, ‘‘proceed to the gods with the
oblation, having left us behind.'^
* Addressed to the sacrificers or to the gods.
® Vhen Agni is satisfied, living beings obtain their desires by
the rain which he causes. Cf. Manu, iii. 76.
® Jaritvi usually means “the singer of praises,’’— -here, as
applied to Agni, it is explained by Sayana as stutya.
100 EIG-VEDA SANHITA.
the guardian of men, the consumer of the Rakshasas)
thou art great, thou the never-ahsent guardian of
the ('worshipper’s) house, the protector of heaven,
ever present in the dwelling.^
20. 0 thou of brilliant wealth, let not the Rdkshasa
enter us, nor the torment of the evil spirits ; Aosri,
drive away further than a gavyuti^ from us poverty,
hunger,* and the strong demons.
SiJkta II. (LXI.)
The ^ishi and metre are tne same j the deity is
1. May Indea listen to both these our hymns
may the mightiest Maghavan come to us, (pleased)
with our devoted offering, to drink the Soma?
2. Him, self-resplendent, have heaven and earth
formed as the showerer, him (they have formed) for
strength; therefore thou sittest down first of thy
peers ; thy mind loves the Soma?
3. IifDEA, possessor of much wealth, pour the effused
Soma within thee ; possessor of (bright) coursers, we
^ Sama Yeda, I. 1. 1. 4. 5.
* This is a measure = two hrosas. adds tKat it implies
an unlimited distance.
® Sayana explains hhudham unnecessarily as h?iapa^Mram,
'* the destroyer.’’
^ i.e. whether recited (sasfra) or sung praises {jswtra).
5 Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 5. 8;' II. 5. 1. 14. 1. {Batrdchjd dUyd
should rather mean, ^^come to us with thy whole mind,” cf.
viii. 2. 37.)
® Bdma Veda, II. 5. 1. 14, 2.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FOURTH ADHYItA. 101
know thee, the over-powerer in battles, the uncon-
querahle, the conqueror.
4. Indra, Maghayax of inibroken truth, it eyer
comes to pass as thou in thy knowledge may’st
desire ; by thy protection, 0 handsome-jawed, may
we obtain food, speedily, 0 thunderer, subduing our
enemies.
6. Indra, lord of rites, give us (our desii'e) with
all thy helping powers hero, we worship thee as
happiness, the glorious, the obtainer of wealth.^
6. Thou art the increaser of horses, tne multiplier Yarga
of cows; thou, deity, with thy golden body art a
very fountain ; none can harm the gifts laid up for
me in thee ; bring me whatever I ask.®
7. Thou art (bounteous), come ; may’st thou obtain
•wealth to distribute to the worshipper;* shower thy
bounty, lEAaHAVAM-, on me desiring cows, shower it,
Iotra, on me desiring horses.
8. Thou grantest mdny hundreds and thousands
of herds as a gift (to the offerer). Uttering long
praises,® we, hymning Indra, the destroyer of cities,
bring him before us, for-nur protection.®
^ Sc. the Maruts. ^
Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 2. V; IL 7. 3. 3. 1.
® Sdma Veda, II. 7. 3. 2: 2.
^ Sayana’s text leaves chemve in the first line nnexplained.
In the Sama Veda Comm, it, is explained chetayitre^ which (like
medhdvin) probably only means **the worshipper.’’ The St.
Petersburg Dictionary gw-es it as ‘‘begehend (ein heiliges
*Werk).”— Veda, 1-. 3. 1. 5. 8; IT. 7. 3. 4. 1.
* Benfey takes mprdmchas as ‘‘Lieder der Lobsanger habend.”
® Bdma Veda, 11. 7. 3. 4. 2.
102
Eia-VEDA saithitI.
9. Iotea, whether it he the unskilled or the
skilled who celebrates thy praise, each rejoices iu
his desire for thee, 0 Satakratu, whose wrath presses
ever forwards, who meetest the foe, proclaiming “ it
isL”
10. If the strong-armed slayer of enemies, the
destroyer of cities, will hut hear my invocation, we,
desiring wealth, will with our praises call on Imera
Saxarratu, the lord of wealth.
11. We are not evil who worship him,’‘ nor too
poor to offer gifts, nor destitute of sacred fires, —
since assembled together, when the Soma is effused,
We make Indra, the showerer, our friend.
12. We join (to our rite) the mighty Indra, the
subduer of enemies in battles, the inviolate, him
to whom praise is due as a debt; he, the best of
charioteers, knows (among steeds) the strong racer,
and (among men) he, the bounteous, (knows) the
offerer whom he is to reach.®
13. Indra, give us security from him of whom we
are afraid; Maghavan, be strong for us with thy
protections ; destroy our enemies, destroy those who
harm us.®
^ S%ana takes mandmahe as a transitive verb, cf. v. 6. 1 j more
probably it means appear/^ — do not appear evil/^ etc,
* S^yana’s explanation of tbis Terse is obscure ; be seems to
take vdjinam twice over, with a difference in meaning in each
clause. I have supposed that veda is to be repeated in the second ,
clause ; but this is doubtful.
* 8dma Veda, I. 3. 2. 4. 2; II , 5, 2. 16. 1 (with for
idihhih).
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FOTOTH ADHTATA. '"=^103
J
14. Lord of "wealtli, thou art (the hestow^) of
great wealth and a dwelling-place upon thy wor-
shipper ; as such, we invoke thee, bearing the Soma,
0 Maghatan, Ihdea, who art to be honoured with
hymns.^
15. Indea, the all-knower, the slayer of Veitea,
the protector, is to be chosen by us j may he guard
our (son), our last (son), our middle (son), may he
protect us from behind and before.
16. Indea, protect us from the west,® from the
south, from the north, from the east, protect us from
every side; keep far from us supernatural alarm,
keep far the weapons of the demons.
17. Save us, Indea, every to-day, every to-morrow,
and every succeeding day ; lord of the good, protect
us, thy praisers, in all days, by day and by night.
18. Maghavan is the shatterer, the hero, great
in wealth, and the conductor to victory® (over our
enemies). Satakeatu, both thy arms, which grasp
the thunderbolt, are the showerers (of blessings).*
* 8dma Feda^ II. 5. 2. 15. 2 {with vidhartd for vidhatah),
® S^ana lE vi. 19. 9 explained the four terms in the text as
referring to the four quarters ; here his Comm, makes them refer
to the six directions in space, ‘‘protect us from the west, from
the east, from below (this includes the upper direction), from the
north (this includes the south).”
® Sayana’s interpretation of sammido virydyd {samymmisrayiid
satriindm viryaharandya) may, perhaps,. mean, “bringing us into
successful collision with our enemies,” cf. his Comm, on Sama Y
i. 3. 2. 5. 7. The text more probably means, “mingling, or
associated, with us to display his might.”
^ This and the previous verse occur in S^dma Veda^ II. 6. 3. 7. 1, 2.
104
EIG-VBDA SANHITl.
✓ StfETAlIL (LXII.)
The deity is Indka ; the Rishi is PEAeliHA of the X anwa family;
the metre Pankti, except ia the seventh, eighth, and ninth
verses, where it is Brihati.
Varga XL. 1. Present the offering of praise to Indra, since
he enjoys it ; (the priests) augment the ample food
of the >S'oma-loving Indra with their recited hymns ;
Indra’s gifts are worthy of praise.
2. Without a fellow and unlike the other gods/ he
alone, unconquerable, surpasses the men of former
times, he surpasses in might all beings; Indra’s
gifts are worthy of praise.
3. He, the swift giver, wishes to bestow blessings
(upon us) with his unurged courser ; thy greatness,
Indra, as thou art about to display thy powers,
should be proclaimed Indra’s gifts are worthy of
praise.
4. Indra, come hither; let us perform for thee
OUT sacred rites' augmenting thy vigour ; by which
(rites), most mighty one, thou desirest to bless him
who wishes for food; Indra’s gifts are worthy of
praise.
5. Thou, hast made thy mind, Intdra, more reso-
lute than the resolute, since thou (wishest to give
the desires) of nt-i; who worships thee with the
* Sdyana explains nribhi^ by devaih. Another interpretation
takes “.he” as the risM of the hymn, in which case nriihih will
mean its ordinary sense, “men,” not “ gods.”
SIXTH ASHTAHA — ^TOTJRTH ADHXITA. 105
intoxicating /Sowa-juices and adorns tiee with adora-
tions ; Ikdea’s gifts are worthy of praise.
6. IiTORA, who is well-deserving of the hymn,
looks down (with favour) upon us as a (thirsty)
.man (looks down) on wells ; and being well-pleased
he makes the energetic Soma-o&evet his friend;^
Iotra’s gifts are worthy of praise.
7. Ibtdra, by the example of thy power and know- Varga XLi.
ledge the gods attain the same ; 0 hymned by many,
thou art the herdsman* of the universe; Indba’s
gifts are worthy of praise.
8. IxDEA,* I laud that might of thine which is
near at hand to the wo:|shipper,^ — (I laud thee) that
thou slowest Yeitra, 0 lord of rites, by thy strength;
Indea’s gifts are worthy of praise.
9. As a woman who shows no partiality ® wins her
^ Sayaria takes yujam as dtmdnam ; but the line rather means
^*he makes the skilled friend his friend.’^—
Another interpretation is that he makes the Boma the friend
of the worshipper.
* Sayana takes gopati as *4ord of waters’^ or “of hymns'';
but in viii. 69. 4 he Seems to adopt the common meaning. He
would explain the construction of mswasyci as if it characterized
the go of gopatih.
® Bdma I. 5. 1. 1. 1 (with upamdm).
^ Or, “for the sake of the offering."
® Sayana takes mmand as sarndnamanaslcd yosMtf and explains
yugd as ^ ^ years, half-years, seasons, months," etc. ; but the ex-
planation utterly breaks down. Prof. Both explains the first line,
“er macht die Menschen zu einem hewundernden Zuschauerkreis,
fl.^.ssieht aller Augen auf sich."
106
EIGt-TEDA SAiraHl.
lovers to her, so Indea confers periods of time on
mankind ; it is Indea who has performed that know-
ledge-giving achievement, therefore he is renowned ;
Indra’s gifts are worthy of praise.
10. MAGHAVAiir, rich in cattle, (those who abide)
in thy happiness have greatly augmented^ thy might
when it was bom, (they have greatly augmented)
thee, Indea, and thy knowledge ; Indea’s gifts are
worthy of praise.
11 . May I and thou, slayer of Yettea, be closely
united until wealth is obtained ; hero, wielding the
thunderbolt, even the niggard concedes (that our
union gives wealth); Iedea’s gifts are wortby of
praise.
12 . Let us praise that Indea with truth, not with
untruth, great is the destraction of him who. offers
not ; but to him who offers abundant ^oma-oblations,
Indea’s gifts are worthy of praise.^
^ By tteir ;So»i<i-offermgs and hymns.
* Sayana merely says, him who offers abundant Boma-
oblations {Ihiiri jyotimM) great is the fayour conferred bylndra.’*
I have ventured to connect it mth the last clause, as Sayana
does not explain this recurring burden, k. more natural ex-
planation would be, ^^to him who offers the Boma great are the
blessings {ihM
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FOITETH ADHTITA. 107
SiJkta tv.' (LXIII.)
IsnEi is the deify, except in the last Terse, which is addressed to
the Bevm ; the as before ; the metre of the first, fourth,
fifth, and seventh verses is Anmhtulh ; of the second, third,
sixth, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh is QdyaM, and of the
twelfth Truhtubh.
1. He, (Indea), tlie chief of those to be honoured, Varga XLii.
desirous of our offerings, approaches ; he, the doors
of whose favour, the sacred rites, Mantj, the (uni-
versal) father, attained among the gods.^
2. May the stones which press out the Soma never
forsake Ikdea, the maker of heaven, nor the praises
and hymns which are to be uttered.
3. He, the wise Indea, discovered the cows* to
the Angieasas ; I glorify that his might.
4. As in former times, so now too is Indea the
blesser of the worshipper and the bearer of him who
praises him ; may he come among us auspicious for
our protection at the oblation of the Soma.
5. forthwith, Indea, as they offer to Agni the
lord of SwiHl,® the singers successively praise thy
deeds, for the attainment of wealth.
6. In that Indea, whom the singers know as the
unharming, all past and future powers abide.
^ Bdma Veda, I. 4. 2. 2. 4. The Comm, there giyes a different
interpretation, as it explains the first dnaje by dtmdnam vyaMika-
Toii and the second hy ugamayati ; and Mamh, which is here left
unexplained, is there ^mvasya Indrah.
* When carried off by the Pmu, see i. 6. 5 ; i. 11. 5.
^ Le. as they make the oblation to thee in the fire.
108
Kia-VEDA SAJSTHITl.
Varga xt,iii. 7. "W hen praises are addressed to Indea by the
men of the five classes, ho destroys tbeir enemies
by his might; he, the lord, is the abode of the
■worshipper’s homage.
8. This praise is thine, for thou hast achieved
those exploits; thou hast guarded the road of our
chariot-wheel (to the sacrificial rite).
9. When the various sustenance, given by Indea,
the showerer, is obtained, all men step out with
wide strides for (dear) life ; they receive it 'as cattle
barley.
10. Presenting our praise, and desiring protec-
tion, may we with you (0 priests) be lords of food,
to offer sacrifice to (Indea) attended by the Maetjts.
11. Hero, by our hymns we offer praise to thee,
who appearest at the time of sacrifice, and wearest
auspicious splendour ; -with thee as our ally may we
conquer (our enemies).
12. The Eudeas, the showering clouds, and
(Indea) who rejoices with us in the battle-
challenge which brings Veitba’s destruction, and
who comes in his might to the reciter and singer
of his praises, — may these gods, with Indea at their
head, protect us.^
^ Sayana gives an alternative explanation of the first part of
this verse, ^‘May the showering monntain-like (or ^filling/
^ gratifying ’) MaruU^ the sons of Eudra^ allies in the battle-
challenge which brings Vritrah destruetlon,’^ This verse also
occurs in Yajur Veda, xxxiii. 50, but Mahidhara’s Commentary
differs widelv from Saya^a’s. the gods who shower
SIXTH XSHTAXA — ^FOURTH ADHYIta. 109
SlkiA V. (IXIV.)
The J^isM is the same ; the deity is Inbea; the metre is GdyatrL
1. May our praises extilarate thee ; thunderer, Varga XLiv,
make food for us, destroy the haters of the
Brahmans.^
2. Crush with thy foot the Paots who ojffer no
oblations; thou art mighty; there is none soever .
like imto thee.
3. Thou, Indea, art the lord of the Soma effused
or not effused, thou art the king of all men.*^
4. Come hither, come forth from heaven to our
dwelling, shouting for the sake of men;® thou fillest
both heaven and earth/
wealth upon us, the Rudras^ and those who have stated festivals
{farvatdh)j who are unanimous in the battle-challenge for the
destruction of Vritra, — may these gods with Indra at their bead
protect us and him who recites or mutters the praises, or, having
accumulated wealth, ojffers oblations.” The St. Petersburg Piet,
translates the clause yah sammte stmate dJidyi pajra Indrajyesht^d
asmdn avantu devdh, in pretty close agreement with Sayana^s
interpretation as followed in the text. Pie hotter nait Indra
an der Spitze, der zu Gunsten des Anrufenden und Lobenden
sich feist macht (oder ' feist ^ d. h. ^kraftig ist/) mogen uns
gnadig sein.”
i Sdma Veda, I. 3. 1.1.1; 11. 6. 1. 3. 1.
* Verses 2, 3 occur in Sdma Veda, II. 6. 1. 3. 2, 3.
^ Another interpretation is, Come hither, and (having accepted
the oblation) proceed gladly, praising the sacrificer (so. dki for
divam),
* Sayapa adds, ‘*with splendour or with rain.”
no
Ria-VEDA. SANHITl.
5. Do ttou burst, for thy worshippers, the gnarled'
cloud with its hundreds and thousands of showers.
6. We invoke thee when the Soma is effused by
day, we invoke thee by night ; fulfil our desire.
Varga XLV. 7. Where is that ever-youthful showerer,® strong-
necked and bowing to none ? what hymner worships
thee?®
8. To whose offering does the showerer come down
pleased ? who can praise Indea. ?
9. In what character, 0 slayer of Tritea, do the
sacrificial offerings honour thee, or the brave praises
in the hymn ? WTio is nearest (in time of battle)
10. For thee is this Soma effused among men by
me of mortal race;® draw near, hasten, drink it.
11. This is thy beloved most exhilarating Soma
which grows in the Sarganavat Lake® by the Sushomd
river in the Arjikiya country.'^
^ Farvata and giri both mean as well as “mountain”;
but as the former is a yogarudha fada (i.e, a compound term
whose parts, when it is analysed, have the same meaning as the
whole), it is here taken in its analysed sense as “having
knots,” “gnarled.”
* So Sayana, but usually vrishalha means “a bull.” Por
tuvtgriva, cf. i. 187. 5. * Sdma Veda, I. 2. 1. 5. 8.
^ Sayana takes it thus, adding yuddhe to ha u bwU antamah.
But it would have seemed more natural to connect these words
with the preceding sastre.
* SayajQia explains mdnmhejme by magi (but cf. i. 48. 11), and
jpitrushu by mmmhyeshu madhye or Fiirmdmmu rdjam*
* Cf. viii. 7. 29. — Sayana seems to have read adhi sritah for
adhi priyah ; he places this lake in the back part of Xurnkshetra.
’ Sayapa adds that the Soma thus grows in a very distant
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FOHETH ADHYATA. Ill
12. Come to-day, Indha, hasten, drink this grate-
ful ^ Soma for our great -wealth, and for thine own
foe-crushing exultation.®
St5kia YI. (IXT.)
The deity, the Rishi, and the metre the same.
1. "Whether thou art inyoked by us, the leaders Varga XL?i
of rites, from the ease, the west, the north, or the
south, come hither quickly "with thy rapid steeds.®
2. Whether thourejoicest in the ambrosia-fountain
of heayen, or in some other heayenward-leading
sacrifice (on earth), or in the ocean-like firmament
of the waters;*
3. Indea, by my praises I inyoke thee, great and
strong one, to drink the Soma, as a bull to eat (his
fodder).
4. Let thy steeds, Indea, bearing thee in thy
chariot, bring hither thy might, (may they bring
hither) thy splendour, 0 diyine one.
country' (sciL to one in the South of India). According to Yaska,
NtruUa, ix. 26, Arjlkiya is a name of the Yipas ; see Professor
Eoth’s Lit. and Hist, of the Yeda, pp. 137-140.
^ Sayana explains cJidru as charanasila^ ** quickly moving;^’
hut in ix. 61. 9 he explains it as Italy dna-marinj^a.
* Sayana takes ghrishvi as iatrundm gharihanasila \ it more
probably means ‘lively,’* ^‘vehement.’'
® The first part of this Terse occurs in Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 4. 7 ;
11. 5. 1. 13. 1.
^ AndJias properly means ^^food;” according to S%ana it here
implies water as the cause of food. Yadvd samudre andha%a$
might mean, ‘‘or in the
112
BI0-VEDA SANHIll.
6. Indba, thou art invoked, thou art praised, the
great, the strong, the wielder of sovereignty ; come
hither and drink our libation.
6. Bearing the effused Soma and the sacrificial
food, we invoke thee, IndIba, tu sit on our sacred
grass.
XL^l, Because thou art common to many worshippers,
therefore, Indra, we invoke thee.^
8. The priests have milked tor thee with their
-stones this nectar of the Soma] drink it, LsnEA,
well pleased.
9. Do thou, the lord, pass by all other worshippers
and come quickly to us, and bestow on us abundant
food.®
10. May (Indra) the king give me cows adorned
with gold ; 0 gods, let not MagUavan be harmed.
11. Upon a thousand cows I obtain gold,® abun-
dant, delightful, wide-spread, and pure.
12. Plunged as I am in sorrow, my children,^ by
the favour of the gods, obtain food, and are blessed
with abundance in a thousand cattle.
^ Sc. we invoke thee before the others.
* Sravas may also mean “ glory.*’
^ 'The Scholiast seems to explain this as if the cows came as it
were laden with gold from Indra.
* Say ana takes napdtah as a genitive singular
and would understand the verse, destitute of a protector as I
am and plunged in sorrow-, (my dependents) by the favour of the
gods,” etc. But it is better to take napdtah as a nominative
plural.
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — FOXIETH ADHTATA. 113
SfeA vn. (LXVI.)
The ^i»M is-KAu: the son of PBAoiiHi.; the deity isTiroBA; the
metre is Prdgdtha, exeept in tlie last Terse, vliere it is Anush-
fuhh,
1. Thronging together, (worship) for your pro-
teetion Indra full of niight and the revealer of
wealth ; (worship him), chanting the Brihat Sdman
at his sacrifice wherfi the Soma is efifused ; I invoke
him as (men invoke) a beneficent master of a house-
hold.i
2. He, the handsome-jawed, whom, in the intoxica-
tion of the Soma, the fierce (demons) withstand not,
nor the firm gods, nor mortal (men),-=-who confers
glorious wealth on him who reverently praises him,
offers the Soma, and sings hymns
3. He, Sakra, who is the purifier (of his worship-
pers), and well-skilled in horses, who is wonderful
and golden-bodied,® — He, Indra, the slayer of
' Sima Veda, I. 3. 1. 5. 5 ; 11. 1. 1. 14. 1.
^ Sdma Veda, II. 1. 1. 14. 2, but reading madeshu sipram for
made smipram , — Sayana does not explain ddritya ; but the St.
Petersburg Diet, derives it from dri, ‘^to tear,’’ in the sense of
“aufthuend d. h. mit offener Hand;” but Henfey prefers the
usual meaning, and renders it “ ehrfurchtsvoU.” The yaji in
the printed commentary should probably be placed before ddtd,
cf. var. Lect. Adritya can hardly be taken with maddya, as it
is always construed with the accusative; but it may apply to
Indra, i,e, who with favouring regard confers,” etc. (cf.i. 103. 6).
Made also can hardly be ether than a locative, though Sayana
takes it as a dative, and seems to connect it with ddritya,
® This is a very obscure stanza. Sayana explains mfikshal^ hy
YOL. Y. I
114 BIG-YEDA SANHITA.
Vbitra, shakes the hiding-place of the numerous
herd of kine.^
4. He who verily pours forth to the offerer the
buried wealth accumulated by many,^ he, Indea,
the thunderer, handsome-jawed, borne on bay steeds,
does as he pleases, (when propitiated) with sacrifice.®
5. Hero, praised of many, what of old time^ thou
didst desire from thy votaries, that, Indea, we hasten
to bring to thee, — oblation and recited prfiise.
stoirindm sodliahah or paricharaniyah^ and aswyak as ma>ahu-
salahi Dut he adds another explanation, which takes the two
words together, as aswah prahMUtak^ a well- washed horse.’^
Again, he explains Mjah as adhhutak, ‘ ' wonder ful,^^ but this
seems only based on an etymological guess, him asya kathamjdta
iti vachandt. The St. Petersburg Diet, takes mrihsha as a curry-
comb or some such instrument, Striegel, Kamm oder ahnlich,*’
(‘^Indra wird mit einem kratzenden Werkzeuge verglichen, das
den Yerschluss der Heerde aufreisst^’), and Mja as some similar
instrument.
^ Here, again, we have an obscure word in apavriti, Sayan^a
explains it as apamranhjam^ ‘^tobe opened,” referring apparently
to the* cave of the Panis (i. 6. 5).
* The Sanhita text reads puru-samlliritam as a compound;
Say ana in his Comm, divides the two words, ‘^the buried wealth,
plcrtcous and accumulated.” He takes the wealth as the accu-
mulated stores from former sacrifices.
^ Sayana says that sacrifice is here the upMhi or necessary
preliminary condition.
^ Siiyana makes the construction rather complicated by taking
chid ‘‘as” {upamdrtJiej Hirukta, i. 4), “as of old time (thou
received’ st) from thy votaries, so now we hasten to bring thee
what thou didst desire.”
SIXTH XSHTXKA — ^FOURTH ADHtIyA. 115
6. Bearer of the thunderbolt, invoked of many, varga xiix.
radiant, drinker of the Soma, be present at onr
libations for thy exhilaration; for thou art an
abundant giver of desirable wealth to him who
utters thy praises and effuses the Soma.
7. To-day and yesterday we have here refreshed
him, the thunderer ; bring to him to -day our libation
effused for (success in) battle;^ let him now hasten
hither on hearing our praise.
8. The® obstructing robber, the destroyer of tra-
velling enemies,® is obedient to him in his ways
hasten, Indea, (drawn) by our gorgeous rite, wel-
coming this our hymn.
9. "What act of might is there, imperformed by
IxDRA ? Who has not heard of his famous (heroism) ?
He, the slayer of Yeitea, (is renowned) from his
birth.
10. When were his mighty forces ever languid ?
When was aught undestroyed before the slayer of
' Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 3. 10 ; II. 8. 2. 13. 1 ; but reading samrn
for samand. Sayaria takes the latter word as moaning “for
battle,” but it is properly an adverb. T'he St. Petersb. Diet,
translates it here, “ in gleieher "Weise.”
® 8dfm Veda, II. 8. 2. 13. 2.
’ This is Sayapa’s interpretation of vrikas chid vdrana urdma-
fhih (thus eonneoting the last word with the etymological root
wr, “to go”); but Yaska (hfirukta, v. 21) takes the words
literally, “the obstructing wolf, destroying the sheep,” which
is far preferable.
‘ Vayuneeku may also mean pryndneshu, “in his counsels.”
116
Eia-VEDA SANHUi.
Vmtra? Indra by his energy overpowers all the
huckstering usurers who see only thui world’s days.’
Varga L. H- Indea, slayer of VMmi., invoked of many,
we, thy many worshippers, cijBEer new hymns to thee,
thunderer, as thy wages.®
12. IinjEA, doer of many great deeds, (other
worshippers) invoke the manifold hopes and pro-
tections which abide in thee ; but rejecting the
enemy’s oblations, come to us, bestower of dwellings;
0 mightiest, hear my appeal.
13. Indba, we are thine, therefore we, thy wor-
shippers, depend on thee; other than thee, Mag-
HAVAN, invoked of many, there is no giver of
happiness.
14. Deliver us from this poverty, hunger, and
calumny; give us (our desire) by thy ptotection and
wondrous working ; 0 mightiest,® thou knowest the
right way.
15. Let your efPased >S(?7wa-juiee be only (for
Indea); 0 sons of Kali, fear not; that malignant
(spirit) departs, of his own accord he departs.
^ Cf. ITirukta, vi. 26. The text may also he interpreted
“usurers and hucksters.” Aha/rdrisah, lit. “seeing the day,”
is explained as seeing only the light of this world and dwelling
in deep darkness after death. The Schol. refers to Manu, viii. 1 02,
for a censure on usurers and traders.
® Sajana remarks that the use of wages as an illustration is
not inappropriate, as both the hymns and the wages are given
by a definite rule {niyamena),
® Sdyana explains sacTiuhtha in iv. 20. 9. as atisayena prdjna,
and in iv. 43. 3. saMimattara.
SIXTH ASHXAKA. — ^FOHBTH ADHYItA. 117
Si5kta VIII. (LXVII.)
The Rishi is Mawa the son of Sammada,* or MIitya the son of
Mixha and VAntoA, or some fishes {maUy&h) caught in a net.
The deities are the A^mttas ; the metre is &&yatrL
1. We solicit for protection those Kshatriyas, the Targa Li.
Ahittas, who bless (their votaries) abundantly to
the attainment of their desires.
2. May the Adilyas^ Mitra, Vaeota, and Aeya-
MAH, bear us across our distress, as they know it
well.
3. To those Adityas belongs wonderful wealth,
worthy of all praise, (laid up) for the offerer of
oblations and the sacriflcer.
4. Te are great, Yartota, Mitra, and Aetamah,
and great is your protection j your protections we
implore.
5. Adityas, hasten to us ere our death, while we
are yet alive; where ““ are ye, hearers of prayer?
6. Whatever wealth, whatever dwelling is yours
(to give) to the wearied offerer of libations, — ^with
these speak to us a kindly answer.
7. Great, 0 deities, is (the guilt) of the sinner,
but to the sinless is happiness; Adityas, ye are
void of sin.
8. Let not the snare bind us; may Indra, the
^ See Prof. Aufrecht in his edition of the Big Veda, p. 477,
(but cf. Prof. Miiller^s transl. Pref. p. Ixiv).
® Sayana takes Izai as he, *‘who?’* but the Nirukta (vi. 27)
explains it as hwa.
118
ElO-TEDA SANHIli.
renowned, the subduer of all, deliver us for a glorious
act.
9. 0 deities, ready to protect, molest us not with
the destructive net of our wicked enemies.^
10. I address thee, who givest abundant delight,
the great goddess Anm, for the attainment of my
desire.
Varga Liii. H. Thou protectest on every side ; let not (the net)
of the destroyer hurt our children, in this shallow
water full of mighty offspring.®
12. Wide-traversing, far-reaching goddess, put
forth thy power to come to us, innocent ones, that
our children may live.
13. Ye who are the heads of men, unharming,
and of self-sustained glory, who, benevolent ones,
protect our rites,
14. j£dityas, deliver us from the jaws of the de-
stroyers like a bound thief ; 0 Aniri, (deliver us),
15. Adityas, let this net, let the malevolent design
turn away from us innocuous.
Varga Liv. Bountcous Adityos, by your protections we
have continually possessed enjoyments from of old.
* Saya^a gives another interpretation of this verse, taking
aWitpramrihsTiata from mrij instead of mris. “Let us not (he
tormented) by the destructive net of onr enemies, deKrer us
from it.”
® Sayana takes ugraputre this as a loo. agreeing ■with “water”;
the St. Petersburg Diet, as a voo. agreeing with Aditi, “0 mother
of mighty children.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — TOHR-TH ADHYITA.
119
17. Wise deities, keep away from us, that we may
live, the many doers of sin who come against us.’^
18. Aditym and Anm, let that which releases
us® as a prisoner from his bond, he ever the object
of our praise and worship.
19. Not to us is there strength enough to hurst
from this (net) ; 0 Adityas^ do you grant us your
favour.
20. Let not this weapon of Vivaswat,® this net
made with hands, Adittas, destroy us before old
age.^
21. Adityas, utterly destroy our enemies, destroy
wickedness, destroy the closely drawn net, destroy
evil everywhere.
^ This verse might he better rendered, “0 wise deities, ye help
to life many a one who tx^tns from sin.^^
^ According to Sayana, this may be either the net or your
favour. In the former case the net itself is supposed by the
favour of the gods to become as it were the instrument of
deliverance.
2 i.e. Yama, properly the son of Yivaswat.
^ Sayana says ^purd^ piirm tddnimy sarmdet^arihah,
^jarma* iddmm firndriy ‘4et it not destroy us, now and of old
infirm;’’ but this seems needlessly artificial.
120
RIG-TEDA SANHITi.
FIFTH ADHYAYA.
MANpALA Till. Continued.
ANUVXeA VII. Continued.
SiJkxa IX. (LXYIII.)
The ^ieU is PbitaMedha of the race of ANetRAS ; the deity of
the first thirteen verses is Indea, and of the six last the gift
of Busha and Aswambdha; the metre of the first, fourth,
seventh, and tenth verses is Anusktubh, of the remainder
GdyatrL
Targai. 1. Most powerful Indra, protector of the good,
we bring thee here, rich in hehieTements and subduer
of -enemies, as a car for our protection and weal.^
2. Great* in power, rich in deeds, mighty one,
adorable,® thou hast filled (all things) with thy
universal majesty.
3. Thou^ mighty one, whose hands in thy might
grasp the all-pervading® golden thunderbolt.
4. I invoke (Indra) the lord of that might which
^ 8dma Veda, I. 4. 2. 2. 3 ; II. 9. 1. 3, 1 (with a slight
variation).
® Sdma Veda, II. 9. 1. 3. 2.
® Mate is left unexplained hy Say ana, unless pitjaniya, ‘ ador-
able/ is its interpretation; he explains it as etotamya in viii. 18.
7. The St. Petersburg Bjlct. reads mswaydmati as an epithet
of Indra, ‘‘der iiberall seine Gedanken hat.’’
^ Sdma Veda, II. 9. 1. 3. 3,
® Jmdyantam Sayana explains as prithwydm sarvato vydpnu-
vantam, the St. Petersburg Diet, as ^‘bahnbrechend,”
SIXTH ASHTAXA — ^FIFIH AbEY^YA. 121
subdues all enemies and bows to none, — (I invoke
him) followed by your onsets as his soldiers and
(surrounded) by the protection of your chariots
(0 Maruts)}
5. (I invoke him) to come to our help, whose might
ever waxes more and more, — ^to whom men appeal
for aid in various ways in battles.
6. (I invoke) Indea, the unlimited, worthy ofvaiga
praise, the mighty, possessing excellent wealth, the
lord of treasures (for his votaries).
7. To him, to him, Indea, do I direct my praise,
that he may quaff the Soma to my great gain, — ^to
him, the bringer of success, who rules over the
praises of the offerers at the opening of the sacrifice.^
8. Thou mighty one, whose friendship no mortal
reaches, whose might no one attains.
9. Protected by thee, 0 thunderer, with thee as
our ally, may we win great wealth in battles, that
we may bathe in the water and behold the sun.®
^ Sdma Veda, I. 4. 2. 3. 5. The construction of the latter part
is obscure. Sayana gives another interpretation, which takes
mh as applying to the sacrificers instead of the Maruts ^ invoke
him to come with his protections in the onsets of j’^our soldiers and
chariots/’ This partly agrees with Benfey, ‘*Euren G«hieter
allherrschender und unheugsamer Gewalt ruf ich durch Lieder,
dass er schiitzt die Menschen und die Wagen.”
^ Sayana explains piirvyam as yajna-mukhasthdm^ but it might
be taken in its usual meaning ‘^ancient/’
® These words apsu siirye are explained by S^ana, ‘‘that we
may perform our accustomed bathings in the water, and, when
the sun is risen, may set about our accustomed tasks/’
122
rtIG-VEDA SANHITA.
10. We addxess thee vith sacrificial gifts, (we
address) thee with songs, 0 Indea most worthy of
song, as thou hast protected me, the offerer of many
praises,^ in battles.
Varga III. H. Thou, the thunderer, whose friendship is
sweet, sweet too is thy liberality, and thy sacrifice
pre-eminently to he performed.
12. Give ample (wealth) to onr own selves,^ give
ample (wealth) to our children, give ample (wealth)
to our dwelling, — grant us (our desire) that we may
live.
13. We solicit a spacious (road) for our servants,
a spacious (road) for our cattle, a spacious road
for our chariot, and (an abundant) sacrifice.
14. Six princes come to me in pairs, bearing
pleasant gifts, in the exhilaration of the Soma.
15. I receive two straight-going steeds from In-
DEOTA, two bay from the son of Riksha, two roan
from the son of Aswamedha.*
Varga rv. 16. (I receive) two steeds with excellent chariots
* JPurumdypam^ lit. possessing much wisdom.’’ The St.
Petersburg Diet, takes it as a proper name.
* Sawana here explains tanve tme as dtmajdya taPputrdya^j
but in Ti. 46. 12 and vii. 104. 10 he explains it as given in the
translation.
® These princes with their respective fathers are the six of
V. 14. The sons of Riksha and AswamedJia had originalljr com-
menced the sacrifice, but Indrota and his father AtitMgva came
to see it and added their gifts. The sons- alone are mentioned ;
the son is the father’s second self, pUriputrayor abhddt.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHTAYA. 123
from the son of Atithiqva, two with excellent reins
from the son of Eiksha, two with excellent orna-
ments from the son of Aswambdha.
17. I have received together ^ (with my other gifts)
six horses with their mares from the pious Indeota,
the son of Atithigva.
18. Among these straight-going steeds is numbered
a mature roan mare with excellent reins and whip.^
19. 0 princes, givers of food, even the lover of
calumny has thrown no censure on you.
StfETA X. (LXIX.)
The Rishi is the same ; the deity is Iitbea, except in the eleventh
and twelfth verses ; in the former half of the eleventh it is the
Viswe devdhj in the latter half and in the twelfth it is Yaeuna.
The metre of the second verse is TTslinik^ of the fourth, fifth,
and sixth Gdyatrif of the eleventh and sixteenth RanHi, of the
Seventeenth and eighteenth Brihaiij of the rest Anushtulh
1. Present your sacrificial food with a threefold Varga
song of praise to Indh,® gladdener of heroes; he
will bless you in your religious rites to the accom-
plishment of your sacrifice.^
^ SacMy i.e. together with the gifts of Eiksha and Aswamedha,
The SchoL remarks that the use of this word implies that Indrotds
gift is incidental and no part of the original sacrifice.
* Sdyapa takes hasdvati as driptd, ‘‘proud/’ “spirited.”
* The SchoL explains this as Indra, “he who rules {ind) or
bespinkles {und) with rain.” Trishtulham rather means here a
song of praise generally.
* Bdma Veda I. 4. 2. 3. 1 (with vandad-virdya for mandad-
virdya). Sayana here takes purandhyd as lahuprutynayd^ hut in
vii. 97 9 he took purandhtl^ as iakwir stutzh.
124
RIG-TEDA SANHITi.
2* ^(lEvoke) for yourselves the author of the
daws,^ (I invoke) for you the roarer of the rivers ;
(I invoke) for you the lord of the inviolable ones;^
(0 sacrificer), thou desirest kine.
3. These white ^kine, giving milk like wells, mix
the Soma for him at the three oblations, rising (in
consequence) to the brilliant home of the sun,® the
birthplace of the gods.^
4. Worship with thy praise, as he himself knows, ^ —
that lord of kine, Iotra, the son of truth,® the pro-
tector of the good.^
^ Sdma Veda, II. 7. 1. 9. 1. Benfey translates it der Mor-
genrdthen Sanger, Sanger der immer nahenden, den Herm der
unverletzbaren, der Kiih’, begelirest dn fiir enoli/’
* JVada is here explained ut^ddalca ; Ind/ra is called the author
of the dawns as being identified with the sun, as one of the twelve
Adityas.
^ Aghnydndm, sc. cows.
* Or brindled,” prisni being sometimes explained as suMa
and sometimes as ndndvarm.
® Sayana adds, It is well known that cows attain heaven by
being of use to the sacrifice.”
® This verse occurs in the White Yajur Yeda, xii. 55, and is
there %us explained by MahidKara, These various heaven-fallen
(waters), liquid and rich in food, mix the Soma for this sacrifice
in the birth-place of the gods {i,e. the year, sc. year by year), at
the three bright oblations.”
Sayana explains yathd vide here as yathd swdtmdnam stuta-
^raMram jdndti, but iu 9. 106. 2 as yathd lohe jndyate,
® Or “son of the saciifice.”
® Sdma Veda, 1. 2. 2. 3. 4 ; II. 7. 1. 1. 1.
SIXIH ASriTAKA— ilTTH ADHTITA. 126
6. Ijet the brilliant bay (horses) drop him down
on the out gtass, where we will hymn his praise.^
6. The cows have milked the intoxicating draught
for Indra, the thunderer, when he finds it near him.®
7- When Indra and I ascend to our home, the
world of the sun, then, having drunk the sweet
(Soma), let, us be united in the twenty-first, sphere
of the (universal) fnend.®
8. Worship Indra, worship him pre-eminently,
worship him, ye of the family of Priy^medha ; let
your 'sons also worship him; worship him as a
strong city.*
9. The drum® utters its sound, the leacuem guard
twangs, the tawny bowstring leaps to and fto ; let
the hymn be raised to Indra.
10. When the bright fertilizing rivers* flow with
diminished waters,'^ then take the overflowing Soma
for, Indra to drink.®
> Ihid. IL 7. 1. 1. 2.
» Ibid. II. 7. 1. 1. 3.
* The Bim. is the friend of all beings, and his sphere is the
twenty-first according to the Aitareya Br^ihmana, i. 30, ^^twelve
are the months, five the seasons, three the worlds, yonder snn is
the twenty-first.*’ Cf. Satap. Brahm. I. 3. 6. 11 ; Chhdnd.
XJpan. ii. 10. 5.
* Sdma Veda, I. 4. 2. 3. 3.
® Sayana only says ^^gargara, a kind of musical instrument.”
® The word enyah may also mean “cows,” — ».a. “when the
white nailch cows come with scanty milk ”
^ Sc. from an absence of rain.
« The great difficulty here consists in the two words aim^ch
ephurah and apmphuram. SAyapa seems-to prefer an interpreta-
126
aiG-VEDA SANHITl.
Varga VII. 11. Indea drank (the Soma), Aein drank it, me
Viswe Devdh were gladdened ; let Yaeuna fix his
dwelling here; the waters^ have praised him as cows
(low) meeting their calves. '
12. Thou art a glorious god, Yaetjna, across
whose palate the seven rivers keep pouring as a
fair-fiowing (stream) into an abyss.®
tion (thougli he also gives that in the text) which makes hoth
these words equally mean pravriddha^ when the bright fertiliz-
ing rivers (or the white milch cows) flow with full waters (or
with distended udders), then take, etcJ' In vi 48, 11 he ex-
plains dhmum Bfijadhwam anapasphurdm as ‘‘release the cow
unobstructed,’^ anapahdd7ianiydm\ and in iv. 42. 10, idm dhendm
dhattam anapasphurantkm as “grant us that cow (riches) un-
injured,” anavahinsitdm. But Mahidhara in his comm, on this
last verse in the White Yajur Yeda, vii. 10, explains anapasphu-
rantim as “not going to another,” “not running away,”
which will give a good sense in afl the passages (cf. Prof.
Goldstiicker’s Diet). Similarly, the St. Petersburg Diet,
translates anapasphurah as ‘'not struggling against being milked,”
and apasphuram as “bursting forth,” t.e. “when the white milch
cows come without starting away, then take the gushing Soma
for Indra to drink.”
^ Another interpretation of dpah is “hymns,” from a forced
derivation, dpana-sildh,
^ The last words Burmyam susUrdm im are left unexplained
in the Comm. ; I have followed Yaska’s interpretation, MruUa,
V. 27. Sayana has given a current metaphorical explanation of
them in his Introd. vol. i. p. 38, where they are quoted as applied
by the grammarians to enforce the need of studying grammar, the
seven rivers being taken to mean the seven declensional affixes (cf.
Ballantync’s Mahdhhdshya, p. 34, where another explanation
is offered, “ across whose palate the seven rivers keep flowing as
SIXTH ASHTAXA — FIFTH ADHTIyA. 127
13. He who directs towards the worshipper his
well-yoked prancing steeds, — he, (Ihdba), the swift
hearer of blessing, (produces) rain, — he, who being
comparable only to himself^ is delivered (from all
his enemies).
14. Saxba verily overpowers ; Indba overpowers
all his enemies ; he, worthy of love, abiding beyond,
cleaves the cloud smitten* by his thunder- voice.
15. (Indra), like a young boy, has motmted his
splendid chariot; he makes ready® for his father and
mother the great deer-like many-functioned cloud.
16. Handsomed-jawed(IirDRA), householder, mount
(fire penetrates and purifies) a beautiful perforated iron image’’).
Sayana, however, here takes the seven rivers as the Ganges, etc.,
and Yaruna’s palate as the ocean. Prof. Roth takes skrmyam
smJiirdm as fern. acc. agreeing with Mlcudam, ‘‘welchem die
sieben Fliisse zustrdmen, wie in einen schaumenden hohlen
Schlund.”
^ Sdyana obscurely interprets upamd as upamdna-lhkta. The
St. Petersburg Diet, takes it as an adverb, ‘‘in close proximity.”
® The words odanam $achyamdnam would usually mean “rice
when cooked;” but S%ana takes odam as “a cloud” on Ydska’s
authority (l^aigh. i. 10), and pacJiyamdna as tddyamdnaj but cf.
the next verse.
® Here Sdyana seems to take pach in itS' usual signification,
“to cook, to mature;” he explains it as vrishtyalUmukJiam
IcaroU^ “Indra makes the cloud ready for raining.” Mrigaj
“deer-like,” he explains as “wandering hither and thither like
a deer,” or “to be sought by all.” Perhaps we might translate
the line as a rude metaphor of primeval times, “ he roasts (with
his thunderbolt) the wild mighty buffalo (the cloud) for his
father and mother.”
iUG-VEBA SANHITi,.
12 §
thy golden chariot; then iet us meet mounted together
on that bright thousand-footed brilliant auspiciously-
moving sinless (car)
17. (The priests), presenting praise, thus -worship
that self-resplendent (Indra) ; they obtain his well-
stored wealth, when (his horses^) bring him on his
way for the offering.
18. The Peitamedhas have reached the ancient
dwelling-place of these deities, having strewed the
sacred grass and placed their oblations after the
manner of a pre-eminent offering.’*
ANUVAKA VIII.
ADHYAyA Y. Continued.
StkTA I. (LXX.)
The ]^isM is FcEraAiaiAN of the race of Angieas; the deity is
Indaa; the metre of the first six verses is Prdfdtha, of the
next six Brihatk., of the thirteenth Ushnih, of the fourteenth
Anushfubh, of the fifteenth Pwa-ushnih.
Varga VIII. ^ P^aise that Indea who is the lord of men.
who proceeds Irresistible in his chariots, the breaker-
through of all armies, the pr6-eminent one, the slayer
of Veitea.®
'■ Or “ their praises.”
* JP&rvdm mu prayatim ; Sayana explains pkrva by mukhya,
“principal,” and arm, by lahMkritya. But it might mean,
“ after the maimer of former offerings,” cf. i. 126. 5.
“ Sdrtia Veda, I. 3. 2. 4. 1 ; II. 3. 1. 15. S4yana explains
tarutd by t&rakaTi, which may mean “deliverer;” in viii. 1. 21
he explained it by jetd, “ conqueror.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA— FIFTH' ADHTiTA. 129
2. ^ Phruhanmah, honour that'IinjEA for thy pro-*
tection, for in thy upholder there is a twofold mighl;;*
he holds in- his hand (to smite his enemies) the
glorious thunderbolt great as the sun in heaven.
3. ITone can touch him by his deeds, who has
made Indea his Mend by sacrifices, — (I ndea) ever
giving fresh strength, to be hymned by aU, great,
unconquered, of ever-daring might.®
4. ^(T laud) him who is not to be withstood, the
mighty, the conqueror in hostile hosts ; whom, when
he was bom, the strong rushing cows® welcomed and
the heavens and the earths® praised.
5. Ihdea,^ were there an hundred heavens to com-
pare with thee, or were there an hundred earths, —
0 thunderer, not even a thousand suns would reveal
thee,® — ^yea, no created thing would fill thee, nor
heaven and earth.®
* Sdma Veda, II. 3. 1. 16. 2, but mth mahdn devah'for maho
dive.
* To smite thy enemies and to favour thy friends.
® Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 1. 1 ; II. 4. 2, 8. 1, -with a slight
variation.
* Sdma Veda, n. '4. 2. 8. S, with for hehdmd^.
Benfey conjectures that these eows are the Maruts, the sons
of Pfi^ni ; Sdya^a aUows another interpretation, ‘ ‘ mankind offer-
ing oblations of clarified butter, etc.’’
* The plural is used, because, according to a text, “the worlds
are threefold,” trwrito hMTj,.
» Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 4. 6; H. 2. 2. -11. 1-
* SAya^a compares Kafha XJpan. v. 15, “ihere (in Brahman)
the sun shines not.”
* SAya]aa compares CKkdndogya Vp. iii. 14, “the soul within
VOL. V. K
130
RlG-VKDi. SANHITi.
Varga IX. 6. Mightiest shovrerer (of blessings), thou hast
filled all (our hosts) with thy vast bountiful power ;
O Maqhavah, thunderer, guard us with thy manifold
protections, (when we march) against the well-stocked
cowpen of our enemies.*
7. 0 long-lived Inbea, the mortal who has not
thee as his deity obtains no food ; (he who praises
not) that steed-borne Imoba, who yokes to his car
the two variegated, who yokes the two bay ste^ds.^
8. Great (priests), worship that Indea who is
propitiated by gifts;® who is to be invoked in the
shallows and in the depths, and who is to be in-
voked in battles.
9. 0 hero, giver of dwellings, raise us up to enjoy
abundant food ; raise us up, Magjblavan, for abrmdant
wealth ; raise us up, Indka, for abundant fame.
10. Indea, who delightest in offerings, thou sat-
isfiest us abundantly with (the possessions of him)
who despises thee ; 0 thou possessed of vast wealth,
shelter us between thy thighs ; thou smitest down
the Ddsa with thy blows.
my heart is greater than the earth, ^eater than the sky, greater
than the heaven, greater than all these worlds.”
» SArm Veda, II. 2. 2. 11. 2.
* Sama Veda, I. 3. 2. 8. 6, with tad for dpad, daaah for
etasi, and indro hari for hari indraJ}. S^ya^a’s comm, on this
verse seems to be corrupt.
■* DAndya aahhanim, lit. “who follows for a gift.”
SIXTH ASHTAXA — FIFTH ADHYITA.
131
11. May thy Mend, Parvata,^ hurl down from Varga
heaven him who follows other rites, the enemy of
men,® him who offers not sacrifice and who worships
not the gods ; may Pa^vata hurl the Dastu down
to the stern smiter (death).
12. Most powerfal Indra, in thy favour towards
us, tahe these cows in thy hand, as Med grain, to
give to us; yea, take them twice in thy favour
towards us.
13. Associated priests, give good heed to the
sacrifice, for bow can we (worthily) perform the
praise of (Indba) the destroyer, who is the recom-
penser of enemies,® the sender of reward, the un-
vanquished ?
14. Indea, the common object of our worship,
thou art praised by many sacrificing Rishis ; for it
is thou, destroyer of foes, who thus givest calves in
succession to thy worshippers.*
^ In i. 122, 3 Sayana identifies Parvata with. Paijanya ; in
Tii. 37. 8 he calls him a god, the friend of Indra ; here he de-
scribes him as a rishi, the friend of India, tava aahhi-hMtah
Parvata rishih,
* Amdnmham, Sayana explains it as the enemy of th'* men
who Sacrifice to India.”
* which Sayana explains as satriindm Wiojayitd\ Prof.
Wilson translated it in viii. 3. 24 “the despoiler of enemies.”
In ii. 14. 10 Sayana explained it phalasya ddtdram rakaJii-
tdram cha, „
* Mkam ekcm, “one by one,” Le. according to Sayana “many.”
He adds that “calyes” here includes “cows.”
132 ipe-TiaoA SANHUi.
16. May- MAffHATAN, taking them by the ears,
lead the cows with their calves from onr three (de-
stanotive enemies), as the owner leads a goat to .
drink.^
StJeta n. (LXXI,')
Eie deity is A^ui; the J^uhis are SiiDiii and PnEtnrfLHA, on
either oi them may be the J^isU ; the metre of the first nme
verses is GdyaMy of the remaining six Frdgdtlm*
Varga XL 1. AoNi, do thou protect ns by great wealth ffom
every niggard and mortal foe.®
2. O thou who wast bom loved, no human anger
can harm thee, — ^thou only art the lord of night.®
3. Son of strength, auspicious in brilliance, asso-
ciated with all tne gods,^ give ns all-desimble wealth.
4. That sacrificing mortal whom thou, Agni, pro-
tectest, the niggardly cannot separate from wealth.
, ^ Sdyana in this interpretation reads mUam na for vateam nah,
and explains it as mtsa-sahitdh. Sauradevyah he explains as
** cows,” i,e. connected with, or won in, battle (samadevam).
* JSdma Veday I. i- 1. 1. 6. Sdyana explains mahobhih by
mahadhhir dhanaihy or by piijdlhihy “ by oni worship.” In his
comm, on the Sdma Y. he takes it as rndhadlJiih pdlanaihy ^'by
thy gipat protections.” Ardteh also may either mean ‘‘from the
non-giv^r,” or ‘^from the non-giving {ix. niggardliness) of every
one.”
* Sdyana explains this, that we will protect thee from men by
day, and thou wilt protect thyself by night froi^ evil spirits, as
fire then biuns brightest-
^ Sdya^a readjs «a no vmwa tipamd9i>>{ftom v. 9) for m vts-
wehkir develhih.
SrXIH A3HTAXA— riFTH ADBrlYA.
133
6. Wise (Agni), lie whom in Ms performance of
the sacrifice thou incitest to attain wealth, by thy
protection walks (lord) among crowds of cattle.^
. 6. Thou, Aasri, givest to the offerer wealth com- Vatga xn.
prehending many male descendants ; conduct us to
affluence.
7. Defend us, JItatedas ; deliver us not over to
me malevolent, to the man whose thoughts are evil.
8. Agni, let not the godless tate away the wealth
which thou, the divine, hast given, for thou art the
lord of treasures
9. Son of strength, the Mend, the giver of dweU-
ingsy thou metest out abundant treasure to us thy
praisers.
10. Let our voices come near the beautiful (Abni),
Mm who bears devouring flames ; let our sacrifices
with our oblations come near him, for our protec-
tion, who is rich in wealth and rich in praise;^
11. (Let them come near) Aqni, JItavbdas, son Varga xiii
of strength, for the giving of all desirable good
things ; who* is doubly .immortal as (perpetually
burning) amongst mortals, and as the supremely
exhilarating mmistrant-priest amongst the sacri-
ficers.®
‘ Cf. i. 86. 3.
> Sdm Teda, n. 7. 2. 8. l,
* Sdma Veda, IT. 7. 2. 8. 2. S^a^a gives another interpre-
tation, “Trho is doubly immortal (amongst gods) and amongst
men,” d being equivalent to eha. Vi?i, which he explains as
put for the ];dural viktlnt yajatndm-rkp&m, more probably means
“ in the house,” or “ in the family.”
134
MG- VEDA SANHEEi.
12. I praise Agni, (0 saoriflcers), for the in-
auguration of your divine offering; (I praise him)
when the sacrifice is proceeding; (I praise) Agni
first of the gods, at our rites ; (I praise) Agni when
the enemy approaches; (I praise) Agni for the
attainment of land.*
13. May Agni in his friendship give us food,® for
he is the lord of all desirable things; we solicit
abundance for our sons and grandsons from Agni,
who is the giver of dwellings and the protector of
our bodies.
14. Laud with thy hymns for our protection
Agni, whose splendours lie outspread laud Agni
for wealth, 0 PrruimfLHA, for other offerers are
lauding that far-famed one on their own behalf;
solicit of Agni a house for (me) Stjditi.^
15. We praise Agni that he may keep off our
enemies ; we praise Agni that he may give us joy
and security ; he may well be worshipped as the
giver of dwellings to the Bishis, he who is as it
were the protector of all men.
^ Sc. as the fruit of the sacrifice. The St. Petersburg Piet,
says ZuT Eegelung der Eeldmark.’*
* Or taking for mahyam and sakhye as a dative (against the
accent), ^‘may Agni give food to me his friend.'^
® This is here Sayana’s explanation of sirasochuham {myana’-
swahhdva-rocMshlcarn), but he gave a different explanation in
v. 10 {asana-sUa'-jwdIam)»
^ Sdma Veday I. 1, 1. 5. 5. This verse is supposed to be
addressed by Sudfti to Purumijha.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FUTH ADHYAYA.
135
SfeA III. (LXXII.)
The deity is Aghti or the praise of the oblations ; the is
Habyata, the son of Pka&atha ; the metre is GdyatrL
1. (Priests), present the. oblation, for (Agni) has
come; the Adhwaryu again offers (the sacrifice),
well-skilled in its offering.
2. The Hotri sits down by (Agni’s) hot flame,*
rejoicing in his friendship towards the offerer.
3. For the sake of the offerer, they seek by their
skin to place EuBEi. in the fore front ; they seize
him, as he sleeps, with their tongues.®
4. (Agni), the giver of food, scorches the vast
bow (of the sky) ; he mounts the water ; he smites
the cloud with his tongue.®
5. Koaming like a calf and bright-shining, he
finds here* no hinder^r ; he seeks a chanter to praise
him.
6. As soon as the great stout harness of his horses
is seen (in the sky), the traces of his chariot.
^ Sayana takes amm as here ecxnivalent ta Agaij the St.
Petersburg Piet, translates it the stalks of the
* 8g. ‘‘with their hymns,” the cause being used for the effect.
® S%a^a here takes jdmi as pravriddham^ mrvam aUriohya,
vartarndnami but the true meaning is probably “his own.” He
gives another interpretation of the latter part of the verse as
referring to a forest-opndagration, in which case mmm and
drishadam are taken in their usual acceptation, “ he mounts the
forest, he smites the rock with his tongue.”
* 11m “here” may either mean “in this world,” mmin lolce^ or
“in the sky,” antarihhe; in the latter case Agni will mean the
lightning, and the praiser {amhya) will bo the thunder.
Yarga XIY.
Yarga XY.
136
ttIG-TEDA SANHITi.
7. ' Seven milk one (cow), the two direct the, five,
on tne resounding shore of the river.^
8. Invoked by the ten® (fingers) of the worshipper,
Indea® has caused the cloud to fall -from heaven by
his threefold ray*
9. The three-hued® fresh impetuous (blaze), goes
swiftly roiyid the sacrifi.ee; the priests anoint it
with butter;
10. ® They pour out with reverence the inex-
haustible cauldron,’ as it goes round circular above
and with an opening below.
^ Ek&m^ one (cow),” is explained as the gha/rma, or
earthen vessel so called, which is used to boil milk, etc., in the
Pravargya ceremony. The ‘^seven’^ are the seven officiating
priests or assistants, two of whom, the pratiprasthdtri and the
adhwaryuj are said to direct in the performance the other five,
viz. the yqjamdma or institutor, the Irdhmam (or hrahman), the
hotri^ the dgnidhraf and th.o prastotri. The ‘‘resounding shore’’
refers to the exclamations used in the sacrifice performed by the
fiahi of the hymn.
® The fingers are called “ the ten sisters” in iii. 29. 13.
* Sdyana says that Indra may also here stand for Agni or
Aditya.
^ Khedayd trivritd ; Sdyana explains hhedayd by rasmind^ and
trivritd by tri-praJcdra-vartcmavatd, revolving in three ways.”
Khada/yd occurs again in 77. 3, and is there explained rq^vod.
The St. Petersburg Diet, explains it as “vielleicht Hammer,
Schlagel oder ein ahnliches Werkzeug dem Indra zukommend.”
* Sc. red, white, and black.
« Bdma Veda, II. 7. 3. 16. 3.
^ Sc. the glmrma or mahwokra, the contents of which are thrown
into the Ahavanlya fibre. The St. Petersburg Diet, takes mata
(which properly means “ a cistern ”) as a metaphor for a cloud
(see under parifmm).
SIXTH ASHTAKA — ^FUTH AHHTITA.
137
11.^ The reverent priests drawing near pour the Varga xvi
superfluous butter into the large* (spoon), when they
set the cauldron down.*
12r. ^Draw nigh, ye cows, to the cauldron ; (the
two kinds of inilk) in the sacrifice are plentiful and
fruit-giving;® both ears (of thQ vessel) are golden.
18. “Drop into the milked (stream)the admixture,*
which reaches, (as it boils), heaven and earth;® set
the bull in the liquor.®
» Sdma Vgda, II. 7. 8. 16. 2.
* So. the upayamani spoon from which the sacrificer drinks the
milk.
® Sc. on the stool, dsand^dm,
* W%ite Yc^ur Veda^ 33. 19. JSdma Veda^ I. 2. 1. 3. 3 ;
II. 7. 3. 16. 1, reading upa vaddvate for updvatdvatam.
® The milk of a cow and a goat is ponred into the Gharma or
Mahavira. Rapaudd is a very hard word (see Benfey’s Glossary).
Sdyana gives several attempts to explain it ; thus it may be
dripsoh phalapradej ^‘giying fruit to one who is about to begiu/’
or lipswor aswinor ddtavye^ to be presented to those who desire
to receive it (sc. the A§wins),” dr (since rap is ‘‘to praise”),
mantrena ddtavye or dohaniye^ “ to be rightly offered or milked
{%kkd) with hymns.” Mahidhara gives a totally different ex-
planation, which is adopted by Benfey; he takes rapBU as rkpa
(but ISTaigh. iii- 7 gives only jp«w), and renders the line “0 cows,
approach the altar-trench {cMiwdh)^ for heaven and •earth
{maU) give beauty to the sacrifice ; both your ears are golden.”
® Mma Veda, 11. 6. 3. 16. 1. White Yajw Veda, 33, 21.
’ This is the goat’s milk which is poured into the cow’s milk
in the Gharma.
® Or the A§wins. Of. NiruUa, xii. 1.
* The ‘bull,’ vTuhalha, is explained as Agni, and the liquor
{rasd^rase) is the goats milk. Sdyana adds, “The goat is
dedicated to Agni. hence the contact of its milk %^-ith fire isnrouer.”
188
EIGhVEDA SAITHITi..
14. ‘They know their own abode;* as calves with
their mothers, so they severally assemble with their
kin.
15. ®(The priests) minister in the sky the sup-
porting (milk) to (Agni) who devours with his jaws ;
they minister all the food* to Indra and Agni.
Varga XVII. 16. The wiud by means of the sun’s seven rays
mUks the nourishing food and drink from the seven-
stepped one.®
17. Mitea and Varitna, I take® the Soma when
the sun is risen ; it is medicine to the sick.
18. Agni, — standing in the place’ which I, the
^ Bdma Veda, II. 6. 3, 16. 2.
^ ue. the cows come to ‘the^Gharma to he milked, as to their
staU.
3 Sdma Veda, II. 6. 3. 16, 3.
^ Or stcar may he taken, like dm, as in the sky,”
® This is the literal meaning of ea^tapaddm, hnt Sayana explains
it as the middle tone with gliding foot, which is personified in
the cow that is milked into the gharma,” sa/r^ana-8Walhdva-pdddm
mddhyamihdm vdoham gharmadhug-riipendvastUtdm. (The thunder
is often called the mddhyamikd vdch, and we have in i. 164. 28,- 29
a similar comparison of the lowing cow, while being milked, to
the cloud as it thunders while raining.) The cow {sma-krayat^i)
which is given as the price of the Boma, has to take seven steps,
and it is considered to he vdch personified, see Taitt. Sanhita,
vi. 1. 7, 8. The Str. Petersh. Diet, takes mptapadim as an epithet
of isham iirjam, fiir alle Bediirfnisse geniigend.”
• Sayai^ia explains ddade as awikaroti, he takes,” unless we
should read swikaromu
’ Sc, the uUara~vedi or altar outside the enclosure.
SIXTH ASHTAXA — PIFTH ADHTi,YA.
139
eager offerer, choose as the spot for presenting the
oblations, — ^fills the sky on every side with his blaze.
STjKTi.rV. (LXXIIL)
The deities are the Aswnsrs ; the ^isM is Gopatana of the family
of Atm, or Saptatadboii; the metre is Gdyatri .
1. Eise, Aswins, on my behalf, as I prepare to varga xviii.
sacrifice ; yoke your car ; let your protection abide
near me.
2. Come, Aswins, in your chariot which moves
(Quicker than the twinkling of an eye ; let your pro-
tection abide near me.
3. Aswnrs, ye covered the hot (fire) with cold
(water) for Atei;^ let your protection abide near
me.
4. "Where are you ? whither are you gone ?
whither have you flown like hawks ? Let your pro-
tection abide near me.
5. If to-day, at some time, in some place, ye
would but hear my invocation, — let your protec-
tion abide near me.
6. The Aswins are earnestly to be invoked in Varga xix.
emergency; I enter into closest friendship® with
them ; let your protection abide near me.
7. Aswixs, ye made a sheltering house for Aim
let your protection abide near me.
^ Cf. Rig Veda, i. 116. 8.
* Cf. Tar. kct., and the commentary on i. 36. 12.
® Sayana adds, When being burned in the cell of the con-
secrated firr ’’
140
EIG-VSlDA SANHETi..
8. Ye stayed the fire from its fierceness for Ami,
while he praised you acceptably ; let your protection
abide near me.
9. Tfrrough his praise of you Saetayadhei set the
fire’s flame-point (to his basket);^ let your protec-
tion abide near me.
10. Come hither, lords of abundant wealth, hear
this my iuYocation ; let your protection abide
near me.
Varga XX. 11. Wh.y is this (repeated invooation) addressed
to you as if you were decrepit like old men Let
your protection abide near me.
12. Aswins, your relationship is common and ye
have a common kinsman let your protection abide
near me.
13. Tour chariot, -A swins, moves swiftly through
the worlds, through heaven and earth ; let your pro-,
tection abide near me.
14. Come to us with thousands of herds of cattle
and? horses ; let your protection abide near me.
1 Cf. :Rig Veda, r. 78. 5.
* Saya^a explains it, “ as we see in flie ■world 'that an. old man
does not come, though often called, so too is it with you.”
* SAya^ia’s Comm, is here obscure, but he explains the text as
meaning that the two A§wins were both bom from the wife of
the sun (so. Viyaswat), who had assumed the form of a mare.
(Cf. vii. 72. 2 and the passage from the Biihaddevatd quoted in
the Oomm.) He seems to explain the common kinsman as meaning
either the sacrificial ladle or the fishi himself (cf. -nii. 27. 10).
SIXTH ASHTAXA, — ^FIETH ADHTiXA.
141
15. Pass us not by ^ with your thousands of herds
of cattle and horses; let your protection abide
near us.
16. The purple-tinted Dawn has appeared, the
mistress of the sacrifice® spreads her light ; let your
protection abide near me.
17. Aswcns, the splendidly-brilliant (sun cleaves
the darkness) as the woodman with his axe a tree ;
let your protection abide near me.
18. bold SAPTAVAnHEi, distressed by the en-
tangling and detaining (basket),^ break through it
as through a city; let your protection (Aswiks)
abide near me.
StfKTA T. (LXXIT.)
The MuU is Gopataita ; the deity of the first twelve verses is
Aam, of the last three the donation of Jdng Sbutabvak (who
had offered an ij^swamedha on the bank of the Parushnl); the
metre of the first, fourth, seventh, tenth and last three verses
is Anushfulhf of the second, third, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth,
eleventh, and twelfth Gd^atrL
1. ®Pood-desirmg (priests, worship) Agni, who is
^ I have adopted this explanation of md ati hhyatam firotn
S£yana*s Comm, on i. 4. 3. He here takes atihhyah as for
pratilchfah {pratydhhyalf, f), ** do not reject (or neglect) us, etc.
* Mitdmri is sometimes explained as yajmmVi^ sometimes as
%atymatiy , “ truthful.’’
^ This is supposed to be addressed by Saptavadhri to hiiriSself,
or by Gopavana to Baptamdhru
^ So S^ana; but krishna/yd hddhito visd probably means
“distressed by the black people.”
* Sdma Veda, 1. 1. 2. 4. 7 ; II. 7. 2. 12. 1.
Targa XXI
142
E10-TEDA SANHITl.
tte guest of aU mankind, beloved of many ; I ad-
dress to him in your behalf a domestic^ homage
with hymns, for the attainment of kappiness ;
2. “(That Aoni), to whom clarified butter is
offered, whom men, bearing oblations, worship with
praises as a Mend ; ®
3. JiiAVEDAS, the earnest praiser of his worshipper,
who sends to heaven the oblations presented in the
sacrifice.^
4. “We have come to that most excellent Agni,
mightiest destroyer of the wicked, the benefactor of
men, in whose army (of rays) ^TrTAEVAN, the mighty
son of Eiksba, waxes great.
5. (We have come) to the immortal Jaiavebas,
who shows light across the darkness, well worthy of
Vaiga XXII. praise, and receiving the offerings of gM ;
6. That Agxi, whom these crowding worshippers
honour with oblations, offering to him with up-
lifted ladles.
* Duryam. is explained by Sayana (ii. 38. 5) as grihyam griht
hhavam. Should not the guhd hitam of the Comm, here he grihe
or gnhdya hitam “placed in, or suitable for, the house,” cf. vii.
1.11 grikehhgo hita.
® Veda^ II. 7. 2. 12. 2.
* Miiram na is also explained “ like the sun.”
* ‘8dina Veda, IL 7. 2. 12. 3.
’ Sdma Veda, I. 1. 2. 4. 9, hut with aganma for dganma, and
reading the second lino as ya sma sruiarvanndrhhye hrihadanika
idhyate, “ who with his host of rays is kindled in Srutarvan, the
son of Bikbha.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHTATA.
143
7. This new hymn has been made by us for thee/
0 joyful, well-bom Agni, glorious in deeds, un-
bewildered, beautiful, the guest (of man) ;
8. Agni, may it be -dear to thee, most pleasant
and most agreeable® — well praised by it, do thou
wax great
9. May this (hymn) tne rich source of wealth,
heap abundance on our abundance (with stores won
from our enemies) in battle.
10. CWorship), ye men, the bright (Agot), who
goes® like a horse and fills our chariots (with spoil),
who protects the good like Indba, and by whose
might ye rayage the stores (of your enemies) and
all their wonderful* (wealth).
11. ®Agot:, Angibas, whom Gopatana by his
praise has made the especial giver of food, — 0 puri-
fier, hear his prayer.
12. 0 thou whom the crowding worshippers praise
' Sayana explains adhdyy asmadd as has been borne (or con-
ceived) in ns for thee/* amdm dhrifam ahhiit,
* Sayana explains cJimishtM as atisayendnnavatij ‘'most
richly endowed with food/* but in vii. 70. 2 he allowed in a
similar phrase the alternative rendering hamaniyatamd.
® Sayana explains gam by gantdram, as in i. 12 L 9, and iv.
22 . 8 .
^ Lit. “ worthy to be praised/* pmyam.
® Sdma F. 1. 1. 1. 8. 9, but with tarn mid. Janishpmd for yam
and chamshfliad ; on the latter hard word cf. Bcnfey’s Sama V.
Gloss. It would seem to mean “ has gladdened.**
Varga
XXIII.
144
BIG- VEDA SANHITi.
for the obtainment of food, attend to them for the
destruction of their enemies.^
13. Summoned before Sedtabtan, the son of
Etksha, the humbler of the- pride of his enemies,
(I stroke) mth my hand^ the heads of the four horses
(■which he has given me), as (men stroke) the long
■wool of rams.
14. Pour swift horses of that most mighty king,
yoked to a splendid car, bear me forth to seize the
substance (of my enemies), as the ships bore home
the son ofTtroEA.®
15. Yerily I address thee, O great river Pabh-
SHNi ; 0 waters, there is no mortal who gives horses
more liberally than this inost mighty (monarch).
SfeiA YI. (LSXY.)
The RuM is YiEtfPA of the race of AiferaAs; the deity is Aoni ;
the metre is GdyatrL
VMgiXXiv. ' i* Aohi, like a charioteer yoke thy god-invoking
steeds ; seat thyself first, the invoker.*
2. 'Divine (Agni), proclaim us to the gods as pro-
^ Or (as in v. 9) in battle,” vritratiirye,
* Sayana reads vfihsJid, which he explains JcesmanU j but he
also gives another es^planation, hastena^ which might apply to
the tnie reading mrikM. * In fact this word seems to suggest
his supplied verb unmrijdmi. The St, Petersb. Biot, takes
mrikshd as the 1st person Sing. Imperative of mrahh (for
mrik8Mni\ let me strokor”
® Por Bhnjyu’s legend cf, Tol. I. p. 307. Vayah bii^s
seems a poetical metaphor for ‘‘ ships.”
* W\hite Tajur Feia, 13. 37.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — ^TIPTH ADHTAYA.
145
foundly skilled assure to us all desirable things ; —
3. Since thou art truthful and worthy of sacrifice,
0 most youthful, son of strength and everywhere
honoured with offerings.
4. This AGHa is the lord of hundredfold and
thousandfold food; he is the head, the seer, (the
lord) of wealth.®
6. 0 Angieas, with the deities associated in the
invocation, draw this offering near thee as the
EiBHtrs (bend) the circumference of a wheel.®
6. ViEtiPA, with constant voice ^address thyprais6 varga xxv.
to this well-pleased® showerer (of blessings).
7. "What strong enemy shall we overthrow,, to win
kine, by the help of the host® of this Aghsi of un-
measured radiance?
8. May he not (forsake) us, the liegemen of the
gods, as the milk-streaming cows (forsake not); the
kine abandon not -a little (calf).
9. Let not the onset of any evil-minded adversary
harm us as the wave (overwhelms) a ship.
^ Sdyoaa explains vidushfci/iras as vid/oattarndn ; bilt it is really
an epithet of Agni, ‘^thon most wise.’*
* Tajur F. 15. 21. MaMdhara takes miirdM with rayindm^
thou who art the head (or best) of wealth.”
3 Cf. vii. 32. 20.
^ S^yana naturally takes nityayd moM as alluding to the
eternal nature of the hymns, utpatti-rahitayd vdcJid mantra/rkfayd,
® Sayapa explains alhidyave here as ahhigatatri^iaye ; his more
usual explanation is alhigatadiptaye,
® Sayapa explains the host” as the rays.
YdL. ¥• L
146
EIG-VEDA SANHITI.
10. ’ Divine Agni, men utter thy praises for the
attainment of strength; by strength destroy the
enemy.
’^arga-xxvi. 11. ^Agisti, Send ns abundance of -wealth to satisfy
our desires ; giver of free space, grant us abundant
room.
12. ® Leave us not in this conflict as a bearer his
burden; win for us the plundered wealth of our
foes.
13. Agni, may thy plagues pursue some other to
terrify him ; increase our vigoroiis strength in battle.
14r Agni especially protects (in battle) that praiser
or zealous sacrificer whose ofierings he has attended.^
15. ®Deliver us wholly from the hostile army,
shield those among whom I am (lord).
16. IVe know thy protection, Agni, as of a father
in former times, therefore we (again) desire of thee
that happiness.
StfKiA Til. (LXXTI.)
The Rishi is Ktousuxi of the race of Kanwa ; the deity is Iitdea;
the metre Gdyatri.
Vargaxx-vii. 1. I uivbke now for the destruction of my enemies
1 Sdma Teia, I. 1. 1. 2. 1. IL 8. 1. 12. 1.
* Sdma Veda, II. 8. 1. 12. 2. Sayana taies yavtshft in its
etymological sfeuse as yavdm eshandya. I have given it a general
Hteaning,
® Sdma Veda II. 8. 1. 12. 3, -with aym for asmin.
* Saya^ia explains vridhd weati -as vihshena gaoheJihati. It
rather means “ Agni protects him with hlessing.”
' Tqgwr Veda, 11. 71.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — ITITH AHHTITA.
147
the mse Inhra attended by the Maeijts, ruling all
by his power.
2 . Indba, attended by the Maeijts, has cleft the
head of Yeixea with !l^is hundred-jointed thunderbolt.
3. Inbea, increasing in might, attended by the
Maeijts, has tom Vritea asunder, letting loose the
waters of the firmament.
4. This is that Inbea, by whom, assisted by the
Maruts, yonder heaven’ was conquered, to quaff the
Soma.
5. We invoke with our praises the mighty Inbea,
accompanied by the Maebts, the vigorous accepter
of the residue of the oblation.’’
6. With an ancient hymn we invoke Inbea with
the Maebts, to drink this Soma.
7. Inbea, Satakeatb, showerer (of blessings), ^Var^a^
drink the Soma at this offering, accompanied by the
Maebts, 0 invoked of many.
8. Thunderer Inbea, to thee with the Maebts are
these /S'ojwa-libations effused, — ^they are offered to
thee in faith® with recited hymns.
9. Drink, Inbea, with thy friends the Maebts,
* Sayana ^Yes as altematire renderings of swa^ ** all (sacri-
ficial) actions/’ and ‘‘^all this world,” sarvam Tcarma yadvedam
® Rijishimmf the residue of the soma {rijkha) being offered
at the tritiya or evening oblation.
* S^a^a explains mmasd as lhaUyd*
148
M0-YEDA. SAUmri..
this Soma effiised on the recurring sacred days,^ and
sharpen thy thunderbolt with (renewed) vigour.
10. *Eising up in thy strength, Indea, thou didst
shake thy jaws, vhen thou hadst quaffed the Soma
pressed between the two boards.
11. ®Let heaven and earth follow thee, Indea, as
thou smitest, when thou heatest down the Dasyu.
12. I make this sacrificial hymn, reaching to the
eight points (of the sky) and rising to a ninth (tiie
sun in the zenith), though it is less than (the di-
mensions of) InnoEA.*
SikTA VIII. {LXXVII.)
TJie and deity are the same ; the metre of the first nine
Terses is (rdyatfirthat of the tenth Terse is Brihati and of the
eleventh is SutohrihatL
Va^^^xix. 1, As soon as he was born Satakrattt asked his
mother, Who are the mighty, who are renowned ?®
^ Cf. i. 86. 4. Btnshfishu mhy also mean in these solemni-
ties which are means to obtain heaven/’ cf. viii. 4. 19.
* Sdma Veda, II. 3. 2. 9. 1. (Benfey, ‘‘ schiittelst die Lippen
du.”) Tajur V 8. 39.
^ Sdma Veda, II. 3. 2. 9. 2, with spardhamdnam adadetdm
for km^shamdnam aJcripetdm, Sayana takes anu ahripetdm as
muhalpayetdm, Grassmann derives it ttom tcrap, ^‘heaven and
earth longed after thee, as thou smotest, etc.”
^ Sdma F. II. 3. 2. 9. 3, with ritdvridham for Titasprisam,
Benfey takes mhtdpadim navaeraJcUm as referring to the metre of
the hymn, ‘^einen achtfiissi^en Gesang, aus neun Gliedem be-
stehenden liobtichen weV um India ich.” So too Grassmann.
* Cf. vui. 45, 4.
SIXTH ASHTAEA — FIBTH ADHTItA.
149
- 2 . BKs strong mother ansvered, — A urnav^ha
and AHisTJTA/ be these, my son, the foes whom thou
shalt overcome.^
8. The slayer of Tritra dragged them along as
spokes (are tied fast) with a rope® in the naTe of a
chariot wheel ; he swelled in vigour, the slayer of
enemies.
4. At one draught Indra drank at once thirty
lakes filled with Soma.*
• 5. In the realms (of the sky) where the foot finds
no resting-place, Indra shattered the cloud® to bring
increase to the Brdhmam.^
6. Indra smote (rain) from the clouds with hisTargaXXX.
far-stretched arrow, he secured boiled rice (for men)
7. That single shaft of thine, Indra, which
1 Of. via. 32. 26.
® Sdyana explains nishturah as ta/oa niBtdraniydh ; the Sfc.
Petersb. Diet, gives ^^die keip.en XTeberwinder haben.’^
^ Cf. note oh viii. 72. 8 .
* Ydslca comments on this verse in NiruTcta v. 11. He gives
the explanation in the text as that of the ceremonialists {ydjnihdi)
•which applies the verse to the thirty uktha vessels presented at
the mid-day offering ; the nairuMdh take the verse as referring
to the fifteen days and nights in which the collected light of
the moon is gradually absorbed. Yaska is evidently uncertain
as to the meaning of the word Mnukd^ which he explains in
several ways, dther as a neuter plural agreeing with sardmsi, or
as a nojn. sing, agreeing with Indra.
* The gandharva, Gandkarmfn^
® JBrahmabhyah,
150
BIG- VEDA SANHITi.
thou makest thy ally, is hundred-pointed, thousand-
feathered.
8. Forthwith increased (by our offerings), do
thou, mighty and firm, by that (weapon) bring
(wealth) for sustenance to us thy praisers, our
children, and our wives.
9. These gigantic far-reaching efforts^ were put
forth by thee; thou didst fix them firm in thy
thought,
10. The wide-traversing Sun, despatched by thee,
brings (to the world) all these (waters which thou
createst) ; he brings hundreds of cattle and rice
boiled in milk ; it is Indea who slays the water-
stealing boar.®
^ Chymtndni is generally explained as laUni^ “powers/'
“ energies" ; here Sayana takes it as referring to “ the mountains/'
as the supporters or stays of the earth, Ihiimeh hila laddhddM--
randni (see mr. lect.\ cf. vii. 3.
2 The Scholiast offers two interpretations of this verse. The
first, that of the grammatical school {nairuhta), is given in the
text. The sun (here called Vuhnii), as the hringer of rain, is
said to bring the cattle and food which the rain produces ; the
“boar" vardha is one of the personifications of the cloud as
smitten by Indrah thunderbolt (cf. JSfiruhta v. 4). The mytho-"
logical school {aitihasika) take the verse more literally, and their
explanation is given in the Chaxaka Brahmapa, The legend is,
however, told more distinctly in the Taitt. Sanh. vi- 2. 4. It is
there related that “ the personified sacrifice concealed itself from
the gods, and assuming the form of Yishpu, entered the earth.
The gods, stretching out their hands, sought in vain to lay hold
of it j hut wherever it turned, Indra, outstripping it, stood in
sixth' ASHTAKA — PIITH ADHYAYA.
151
11. Far-darting is thy weU-made auspicious bow,
unfailing is tby golden arrow; tby two warlike
arms are ready equipped, destructively overthrowing,
destructively piercing.* .
SdkTi. IX. (LXXVIIT.)
The EuM and deity are tke same ; the metre is GdyaM, except
in the last verse, where it is Brihati,
1. (Accepting) our offering of sacrificial viands, 0 Varga xxxi.
front of it. It said to him, ^ Who is this that, outstripping me,
always stands in jS^ont of me ? ’ He answered, ‘ I slay in in-
accessible places, but who art thou?’ ‘I can bring out from
inaccessible places.’ Then it said to him, ^ Thou sayest that
thou canst slay in inaccessible places, — ^if this be so, the boar
vdmamosha ( Ydmmimha in Ch* Br.) guards for the asuras, behind
the seven mountains, the wealth which the gods must obtain ;
prove thy title by slaying that boar.’ Indra, seizing up a tuft
of darbha-grass, pierced those mountains and slew him. Then
he said to the sacrifice, * Thou sai^dst that thou couldst bring out
from inaccessible places ; bring him out from thence.’ It .brought
out all the instruments of the sacrifice [according to the Comm,
the altar, soma-jars, cups, etc.], and gawe them to the gods.” The
legend of the Charaka only differs in making the boar hide behind
twenty-one stone cities. The seven mountains, according to the
SchoL, are the four dikshds or initiatory rites and the three
upasads) the boar vdmamosha (‘^stealer of precious things”) is
the personified ceremony of pressing the soma-juice. The whole
legend appears to have arisen from the present passage and that
in I. 61. 7.
^ This difficult verse is explained in Yaska’s Wimkta, vi. 33 ;
but his explanation of ridiipe chid ridiivridhd is very doubtful
and confused, cf. Brof. Eoth’s Comm. The St. Petersburg Diet,
explains the words like two bees delighting in -^sweetness,”
taking ridu as for mriduj sc. the madhu or soma-juice.
152 EMJ-VEDA SANHIli.
hero Indea, bring us thousands and hundreds of
cows.
2. Bring us condiments, cows, horses, and oil,
(bring us) with them precious^ golden (vessels).
3. 0 resolute one, bring us many ear-omaments ;
giver of dwellings, thou art renowned.
4. There is no prosperer other than thou, no di-
vider of the spoil, no giver of boons ; 0 hero, there
is no (leader) of the sacrificer other than thou.
5. IsDEA cannot be brought low, he cannot be
overpowered, — he hears, he sees all.
Vargaxmi. Unharmed he bnngs low the wrath of mortals ;
ere any one can reproach him, he brings him low.
7. The belly of the /Sbwia-drinker, the eager slayer
of Yritra, is filled by the sacrificer’s offering.
8. In thee, 0 drinker of the Soma^ are treasures
stored, and all precious things and unblemished
gifts.
9. To thee my desire hastens, seeking barley,®
cows and. gold, — to thee it hastens seeking horses.
^ Sayana explains mand by manankydni, the St.'-Petersb. Diet,
takes it as a vesseP^ or *‘a weight,’’ i,e, ‘'with, a weight of
gold.” Grassmann compares fipd,
® i.e. Somaj l^re applied to Indra^ as possessing it (somavan)
or as identified with it after drinking it.
® Tam (fea) properly means barley, but may be' here used
generally. The St. Petersburg Diet. ^ remarks 8uh that in the
Atharva Yeda, and still more in the Brahmanas, yava and vrihi
(rice) are the principal kinds of corn, while rice is not mentioned
by name in the Big Yeda.
SIXTH ASHTAXA — FEPTH ADHTIta.
153
10. I take my sickle also in hand, Indea, with
a prayer to thee ; fill it, Maghayah, with a handful
of barley already cut or piled.^
SikiA X. (LXXIX.)
The JiS^ishi is KEmnr of the race of Bhrigtt ; the deity is Soma ;
the metre is Qdyairk^ except in Ifche last verse, where it is
Anmhtubh,
1. This all-creating Soma, obstructed by none,
the conqueror of all, the producer of fruit,® the seer,
the wise, (is to be praised) with a hymn.
2. He covers what is naked, he heals all that is
sick, the blind sees, the lame walks.
3. Soma, thou offerest us a wide shelter from the
wasting enmities wrought- by our foes.®
4. 0 by thy wisdom and might drive
away the enmity of our oppressor from the heaven
and the earth.
5. The petitioners seek for wealth, they attend
It would appear as if tte field were a barren one and the
poet sought from Indra a harvest which he bad not sown.
®. Vikoofit and udhhid are also the names of two special Soms "
ceremonies, and the Soma may be addressed under these aames
(as the principal means of their accomplishment.
’ Yqfur Veda, 5. 35. Sayapa seems to take yant&si as hhavasiy
Mahidhaia explains it, “thou the restrainer {yantd) from enmi-
ties, etc., thou art a wide shelter.”
* i.e. thou who possfessest the remains of the Soma, offered in
the third savana, cf. Taiit. Smhita, vi. 1. 6. ^tjukin is trans-
lated in the St. Petersburg Diet, ‘'vorsturzend, ereilend.”
154
BIQ-TEDA SANHITA.
the bounty of the liberal ; (by thee) men pour out
the desire of the thimty.
6. (Soma) urges him on when the sacrificer obtains
(by offerings) his old lost wealth, he lengthens out
his unending life.^
7. Host gracious and conferring joy, void of pride
in thine acts, and never failing, dwell, Soma, auspi-
ciously in our hearts.
8. 0 Soma, cause us not to tremble, frighten us
not, 0 king ; smite not our hearts with thy bright-
ness.
9. When in my house I watch against the enemies
of the gods, then, 0 king, drive away those who
hate us, — 0 showerer of blessings, drive away those
who would harm ns.^
StfKXA XI. (LXXX.)
The RisU is Ekadt^, the son of ITobhas ; the deity of the first
nine verses is IisrBJiA, of the last the Devas\ the metre is
Gayatrk.^ except in the last verse, where it is Truhtullu
Varga xsxv. 1, Other than thee, Satakrattj, I know no be-
stower of happiness ; Iotea, do thou make os happy.
2. 0 thou, the invulnerable, who hast always in
former times protected us for the battle, do thou,
Indra, make us happy.
^ There is no Comm, for this last danse.
® Sayana explains mtdkwah effuserof the soma/' aomarasasya
but it seems more natural to take it here as elsewhere (as
>iL 8. 1. of Agni) ^halmya seUah^ or (as vii. 89. 7, of Yaruna)
Jedmeindm aektah.
SIXTH ASHTAXA — ^PITTH ADHTITA.
155
3. Director of the worshipper, thou art the
guardian of the offerer ; help us mightily.
4. Indea, protect our chariot ; though now left
bdiind, set it in the front, 0 thunderer.
6. Dp, why sittest thou still ? make our chariot
the first ; our food-seeking ‘ offering is near thee.
6. Protect our food-seeking chariot; everything
is easy for thee to do ; make us completely victorious.
7. Indea, be firm (in battle), thou art (strong as)
a city ; ^ to thee, the repeller (of enemies),^ comes
this auspicious sacrifice, offered in due season.
8. Let not reproach reach us ; far off is the goal ;
there is the wealth stored ; may our enemies be ex-
cluded.
9. "When thou assumest thy sacrificial fourth
name,^ we long for it ; then thou forthwith carriest
us as a protector.
^ Here, as elsewhere, Sayana explains by annam ickchhat j
the St. Petersburg Diet, takes it as ‘‘ wettlanfend, eilig ; Grass-
mann renders it giiterreich.’^ Sayana explains Sravas by
annam as usual, i.e. havirlahshanam. The clause may perhaps
mean the race i > glorious and swift.’’
* Or, according to another interpretation, be firmly settled
(in our sacrifice), thou art the fulfiUer of desires,” jp'&rahah M-
mdndm asi,
® MshhriUm is here taken actively, i.e. Nishhartdram, It
may be also taken passively, this auspicious sacrifice comes to
thy appointed (place).
^ The four names are explained to be the nahhatra or constel-
lation-name, (i.e. Arjuna^ as connected with the constellation
156
EIG-VEDA SAJTHITA.
Yarga
XXXYI.
10. 0 immortal gods and all ye goddesses, Ekadyti
has honoured you (with his praise) and rejoiced you
(with his /S'owa-offerings) ; make his substance
abundant ; and may (Indba), who rewards pious acts
with wealth, oome speedily in the morning.
aotyIka IX.
ADRYKYaV. CoimNTJED.
Sikii. I. (LXXXI.)
The J^sM is KusfDiN the son of ELotwa j the deity is Iitbba,* and
the metre GdyatrL
1. ^Indra, lord of the mighty hand, do thou seize
for us with thy right hand marvellous praise-ex-
citing (riches), worthy to be seized.
2. ^We know thee the achiever of many great
deeds, the bestower of many gifts, the lord of much
wealth, vast in size, and full of protection (for thy
worshippers).
3. ®Hero, when thou desirest to give, neither gods
nor men can stay thee, as (they cannot stay) a
terrible bull.
Aijnnyau or Phalgunyau? see ^tap. Brdlmi. ii. 1. 2. H, ■where
it is, however, called the hidden name guhyam ndma)^ the hidden
name, the revealed name, and the sacrificial name somaydjm.
^ Bdma Veda, I. 2. 2. 3. 3; IL 1. 2. fi. L Sdyana supplies
dhanam wealth,” and takes hshumantam m sdbdammtam dot--
yam, Benfey takes grdhham {grahandrham) as referring to the.
thunderbolt, ergreife nun fur uns den domiemden, den Flam*
mengriff.”
* Bdma V. IL 1. 2. 6. 2.
» Sdma V II. 1. 2. 6. 3.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — PIFIH AHHTITA.
157
4. Hasten hither, let us glorify Indea the lord of
wealth, the self-resplendent, let none vex us by his
wealth.
6. May (Indea) sing the prelude, may he sing
the accompaniment,^ may he listen to our hymn as it
is chanted ; may he, endowed with wealth, accept
us favourably.
6. Bring us (gifts) with thy right hand, and with
thy left bestow them on us ; exclude us not, Indea,
from wealth.
7. Come hither, and bring us, daring one, with
thy resolute, (mind), the wealth of him who is pre-
eminently a niggard amongst men.
8. 0 Indea, give us abundantly that wealth
which is thine, and which is to be obtained by the
wise (worshippers).
9. May thy all-rejoicing riches speedily come to
us; full of desires, men immediately offer their
praises.
‘ i.e. let Mm act as the jprastotri and the upag&tri ; for the
functions of these assistants at a Saman see Prof. Hang’s notes,
Ait. BiAhm. iii. 23; yii. 1.
158
kig-teda sanhita.
SIXTH ADHYXYA.
MANpALA Till. Continued.
AXUVAKA IX. Continued.
Varga I.
StJkta II. (LXXXII.)
The J^ishi, the deity, and the metre are the same as in the pre-
ceding hymn.
1. Hasten, slayer of Vritra, from afar or from
nigh, to the exhilarating (;8'oj«a-libations) in the
sacrifice.
2. Come hither, the strong intoxicating iSoma is
effused ; drink, since thou art- boldly devoted to it.
3. Eejoice thyself •with this food, — may it forth-
with avail to (quench) thy foe-restraining anger,
may it produce happiness, Indra, in thy heart.
4. 0 thou who hast no enemies, come hither;
thou art summoned from the resplendent heaven to
the hymns at this ouridte near at hand in this world
illumined (by the sacred fires).^
' It would be more obvious to take upame roehane divah, with
the St. Petersb. Diet., as “ in the highest splendour of heaven.”
Sayana, however, takes divah as swatejasd dipyamdnad dijidok&t,
“ fi'om the world of heaven illnmined by its own splendour,” i.e,
by the deities residing there; roeJmte as. agnibhir dipijamdne hke,
«nd upam as tamipe ’smadiye yajne cJia.
SIXTH ASHTAKA SIXTH ADHYAYA.
159
5. IxDEA, this Soma, efifased for thee by the stones
and mixed with milk, is offered auspiciously (in the
fire) for thy exhilaration.
6. IxDEA, hear with favour my call ; be present Varga
at the drinking of this our libation mixed with
milk, and he satisfied.
7. "Whatever Soma has been poured into the cups
and the howls ^ for thee, drink it, Indka, — thou art
the sovereign.®
8. Whatever Soma is seen in the vessels® like
the moon (reflected) in the waters, drink it, — thou
art the sovereign.
9. Whatever Soiiia the hawk'^ boro for thee with
its feet, having won it, till then inviolate, from the
(guardians of the) upper worlds, drink it, — thou art
the sovereign.
' Tho Soma-libations are poured from two kinds of vessels, the
ehamasas, i.e. cups, and the gralias, or saucers (hero called chmuii),
cf. Haug, Ait. Br. transl. p. 118.
^ Sama Veda, I. 2. 2. 2. 8.
“ i.e. it is thus seen in the eight //ra/ws. Sayan a gives another
interpretation of ajjsu “in the waters” as anfarikslte “in tho
sky,” nirmdatajjd, the Soma being likened to the moon fw its
purity.
* This alludes to the legend given in the Taitt. Sanhita, vi. I.
(cf. also Ait. Brahm. iii. 2.5-27), which tolls how the Gilyatrf as
a hawk brought the Soma from heaven. The portions w'hich
she seized with her feet became the morning and the midday
libation, that which she seized with her bill became the evening
libation.
Varga III.
Varga IV>
160 RIG-VEDA SANHITA.
St5kta III. (LXSXIII.)
Tke Rishi and metre are the same as in the preceding hymn; the
deities are the Viswe DEviH.
1. We solicit that miglity protection of the desire-
raining deities in our own behalf, for our own help.*
2. May those (deities) Varota, Mitra, and Ar-
YAMAN, be ever our allies and supremely wise
helpers.
3. Charioteers of the sacrifice, do you conduct us
through the many wide-spread (forces of our enemies)^
as in ships across the waters.
4. Be wealth ours, Artamar, — ^ wealth worthy ta
be praised, Yarxjna; it is wealth which we ask.
5. Mighty in wisdom, repellers of enemies, ye
are the lords of wealth; be not mine the wealth,
Adityas,® which belongs to sin.
6. Bounteous deities, whether we dwell at home
or go abroad on the road,^ we invoke you only to be
nourished by our oblations.®
^ Sama Veda, I. 2. 1. 5. 4.
® Sayaiia’s comtd. is not quite clear, but I have taken it as in
ii. 27. 7. If we omit the words no ^smdn (found only in B.) and
take nah for asmdicam, his interpretation will run, conduct our
(sacrifices) to completion through the many wide-spread (forces
of our enemies).”
* I think that na is omitted in the Comm, before prcqmotu.
^ The SchoL explains this, “ whether we remain at homo to
jperform the agnihotra^ etc., or go forth in the roads to collect
fuel, etc.”
Or *‘to enrich us with wealtli.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH ADHTAYA. 161
7. ^Come to US, Ihdra, Vishnu, Maeuts, and
Adityas, from the midst of the^e your brethren.^
8. Bounteous (deities), we forthwith proclaim
aloud that brotherhood of yours in your mother’s
womb, (first) in common union, then as born in
diverse manner.®
9. Bounteous (deities) with Indea as your chief,
be present here in your radiance ; again and again
I praise you.
StfKiA lY. (LXXXIV.)
The deity is Asui ; the ^isM is ITsas-as the soa of Kavi ; the
metre is Gdyatrl.
1. I praise Agni your most beloved guest, dear Varga
as a friend, who brings wealth as a chariot ; *
2. ®Whom the gods have set like a wise seer in
a twofold function among mortals.®
' Tajur Yeda, 33, 47. ’ Sc. Miira, etc.
^ This alludes to a legend partly givea in Taitt. Sanhita, vi.
5. 6. There Aditi is represented as offering a certain offering to
the gods, and as conceiving four of the adityas on eating the re-
mainder which they gave to her. Thinking to conceive a still
nobler offspring, she next eats the whole of the second offering
herself, but she only conceives a barren egg. She then offers
the third offering to the A'dityas and conceives Yivaswat. But
this legend says nothing of the birth of Pushan and Aryaman as
alluded to in the Scholiast.
* SamaYeda, I. 1. 1. 1. 5. 11. 5. 1. 18. 1.
‘ Sama Yeda, II. 5. 1. 18. 2, reading prasamsi/am and tit for
prachetasam and adha.
* Agni’s two functions are the Garhapatya and Ahavanfya
fires, or it may refer to his offices connected with the sacrifice in
heaven and earth.
VOI. V.
it
162
lilG-VEDA SANHITa.
3. Ever-youtMul (Agni), protect thy offerers,
hear our praises, and thyself guard our offspring.^
4. Divine Agxi Angiras, son of food,^ with what
voice (shall I utter) my praise to thee, most excel-
lent scorncr of enemies ? ^
5. Son of strength, what worshipper’s (offerings)
shall we present to thee with devoted mind, and
when shall I utter to thee this praise ?
Varga VI. G. Cause all our praises to bring to us excellent
dwclliiTTS and abundance of wealth in food.’
7. “Whose many offerings dost thou gladden,
Agni, — thou who art the lord of the house,'’ and
\yhose praises bring wealth of kine?
8. .They keep him bright in their houses; (Agni,)
famed for glorious deeds, the mighty one who presses
forward in battles. ,
^ Siuiia Yeda, I£. 5. 1. 18. 3. YajarYctla, 13, 52. Eenfey
takes the lust clause '‘hcwalirc uus und uiisern Sj^ross,^' which
!Muhf(lhara also gives as an alternative rendering.
* Sayaiia here as elsewhere gives the alternative rendering
grandson of the sacrititdid otfering.”
^ 8uma Yeda, II. 7. 2. C. 1. Tor a dilFurcnt explanation of
ViW(hju mamjare see viii. 82. 3.
* 8Ama Yeda, IL 7. 2. (>. 2. Benfey translates haB^ja mamsd
})({jn(Wja mit welcher Fcier Ersiuuung? ”
* Sam a Yeda, II. 7. 2. 6. 3.
* Sarna Yeda, 1. 1. 1 3. 14, with pan turn and satpate for
jyarinaBah and dampate.
’ Say ana takes dampate tK^Jayapatmcariipa^ since Agni abides
in the garhapatya fire, but cf. viii. G9. IG. The la.st clause may
mean whose praises arc heard in the rite which hiings wealth
SIXTH ASHTAXA — SIXTH ADHTItA.
163
9. He who dwells at home with all-efficient pro-
tections, whom none can harm, hut who himself
harms (his enemies), — ^he, Aoxi, (thy worshipper,)
waxes strong with heroic offspring.
SdKXA V. (LXXXV.)
The deities are the Aswihs ; the Rishi is Krishna of the family
of Angijias ; the metre is Gdijatri.
1. Nasattas, Aswms, come ye to my invocation, Varga vii.
that ye may drink the exhilarating Soma.
2. Aswins, hear this my hymn, this my invoca-
tion, that ye may drink the exhilarating Soma.
3. Krishna invokes you, Aswins rich in sacri-
fices, that ye may drink the exhilarating Soma
4. Leaders (of all), hear the invocation of Krishna,
the hymner, who praises you, — that ye may drink
the exhilarating Soma.
5. Leaders, give to the sage who praises you an
unassailable dwelling, that ye may drink the ex-
hilarating Soma.
6. Aswins, come to the house of the offerer who Varga viii.
thus praises you, that ye may drink the exhilarating
Soma.
7. Ye who possess showering wealth, yoke the
ass to your firmly-built chariot, that ye may drink
the exhilarating Soma.''-
^ Yujur Veda, 11. 13, has part of this verse, hut much of it is
quite different. Bay ana takes the verse as addressed to the
Aswins, Mahidhara as addressed to the adhwaryu priest and the
sacrificer, or to the sacriheer and his wife.
164
RIti-VEDA SANHITA.
8. Aswins, come hither with your three-seated '
triangular car, that ye may drink the exhilarating
Soma.
9. NIsaitas, Aswins, hasten quickly to ray
praises, that ye may drink the exhilarating Soma.
SfeA VI. (LXXXVI.)
The deities are the same; the RisJii is Viswaka the son of
XnisHNA, or Ksisena himself; the metre is JagaVi.
Yargalx. 1. Dasras, physicians, sources of happiness, ye
both ■were(the objects) of Daksha’s praise;^ Yiswaka
now invokes you for the sake of his son ; sever not
otir friendships,* but fling loose (your reins and
gallop hither).
2. How ViMANAs once praised you, and ye gave
him understanding for the attainment of excellent
wealth ! Tiswaka now invokes you for the sake of
his son ; sever not our friendships, but fling loose
(your reins and gallop hither).
3. Gladdeners of many, ye have given to Yish-
^ Tor trivmdlmrena cf. i. 84. 9 ; i. 47. 2 ; viii. 22. 5, etc.
Sajana continually vacillates in Ms interpretation; here he takes
it as tri^halalcdsarnghatitenay “ compacted of three pieces.*^ He
also gives as a second interpretation of trivritd ‘‘defended by
three sets of plates.’’
* This seems to allude to the thousand riks uttered by Daksha
or PrajSpati, the jf^§wina Sastra, which was won by the
A § wins in a race, see i. 116, 2 (Comm.) and Ait. Brahm. iv. 7,
® Sc. as worshipper and the object of worship.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH ADHTAYA.
165
Nipu' this prosperity for the attainment of excellent
■wealth ; Viswaka now invokes you -for the sake of
his son ; sever not our friendships, hut fling loose
(your reins and gallop •hither).
4. We summon that hero® to our protection, (the
enjoyer) of wealth, the possessor of the 8oma,^ who
now dwells afar off and whose hymn is most pleasing
(to the gods) like his father’s ; sever not our friend-
ships, but fling loose (your reins and gallop hither).
5. The sun-god by truth extinguishes his beams
(in the evening) ; he spreads abroad (in the morn-
ing) the horn o f truth ; truth verily overcomes the
might of the eager assailant ; therefoi’e ^ sever not
our friendships, but fling loose (your reins and
gallop hither).
^ This is the name of the rishi^s son or grandson.
® The Rhhz here prays for the presence of his absent son Yish-
napu. The Schol. only adds in explanation that ‘‘it is for the
son to protect the father.”
® Rifishin is generally an epithet of Indra and is always ex-
plained by S%ana as here, “possessor of the stale Soma” rijuha
(cf. iii. 32. 1 ; 36. 10, etc.); but there is a word rijkha in i. 32.
6, applied to Indra, which Sayaiia there explains as “enemy-
repelling,” and rijisliin must have some such meaning here. The
St. Petersburg Piet, always explains it in the Eig-Yeda as
“ vorstiirzend, ereilend.”
* Sayana takes the stanza as a praise of truth, satya-^^rasamsd*
He seems to explain the verse as implying that as the sun
swerves not from his appointed course, and as truth or adherence
to right conquers earthly foes, so the As wins must fulfil the
duties of ancient friendship and hear the rishi^s prayer.
166
EIG-TEBA SANHITA.
Varga X.
Si5kta YIL (LXXXVIL)
The deities arc the Aswris^s; the RisM is I)YTJ3i>"fK:A the son of
VAsrsiixnA or Paiy.oiEBiiA of the family of Angieas or Keishka ;
the metre is Fragdiha,
1. Aswras, your praise is filled with, plenty ^ as a
well (with water) in time of rain ; hasten hither ;
it is especially dear to the Soma when it is effused
in the brilliant (offering) ; drink, leaders (of rites),
as two Gauras (drink) at a pool.®
2. Drink, Aswins, the exhilarating [Soma) as it
drops ® (into the vessels), — seat yourselves, leaders,
on the sacrificial grass ; rejoicing in the house of
the worshipper,^ drink the sacred beverage with the
oblation.®
3. The worshippers® have invoked you with all
^ i.e. it brings abundance to the worshipper. (In 89. 2, dy-
imni is explained glorious.^') Another interpretation takes
JDyumni as for Dyminiko^ ‘‘ A§wiDS, Dyumnika is your praiser.’*
» Cf. viii. 4. 3.
® Gharma may also be taken for the earthen pot called mahd^
vira, and signify the milk boiled in it. ** Brink, Aswins, the
exhilarating (Soma) and the milk.’^
* Literally in the house of the man mamsho durone^ i.e.
the sacrifice which is as a home to the deities, cf. v. 76. 4.
* Or this clause may mean protect our lives together with
our wealth.’^
® Pntjanudhdh , whoso saciifices are acceptable.’'
The commentator also suggests that it may refer to the Ruhi
Piiyamcdha (^iii. 68. 69), the plural being used as honorific.
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — SIXTH ADHTAYA.
167
your protections ; ' come in the early mornings to
the dwelling of him who has clipped the sacred
grass, to the offering loved (by all the gods).
4. Aswins, drink the, exhilarating Soma^ sit down
in your radiance on the saeriftoial grass; waxing
strong (thiOugh the libation), come from heaven to
our praises, as two Gaiiras to a pool,
5. Come, Aswixs, with your glossy steeds ; Das-
RAS, -riding in goldeAcnariots, lords of good fortune,
upholders of truth, drink the Soma.
6. We, your wise praisers, invoke you to the
enjoyment of the sacrificial viands ; come quickly,
Daseas, at ttie sound of our praise, Aswixs, graceful
in your movements, abounding in mighty deeds.
SuKT.1 Till. (LXXXVIII.)
• The deity is In dra; the Rlshi is ^N’odiias of the family of Gotamv;
the metre is Frd^dtka,
1. offer praise with oiir hymns, as cows (low) Varga xi,
to their calf in the stalls,^ to that handsome Itora. of
yours, (0 priests), the overcomer of enemies, who
rejoices in the excellent ^ beverage.
^ Or viswdhhir 'ktihhih may mean “ with prayers for all desir-
able blpssings.’*
® Yajur Veda, 26. 11. Sama Veda, L 3. 1. 5. 4; II. 1. 1.13. 1.
^ Sayana takes swmareslm in this sense, but he quotes Yaska
(Xir. V. 4) to show that the word may also raeau days.’’ (Cf.
I’rof. Roth’s note in his edition, p. 56.) Sayaua takes it as ' days ’
ia the first clause, we praise thee in the days,” and * stalls ^ in
the second.
^ I take vasohy or rather the gloss vdsaj/Uuhj as Sayaiia explains
it in vi. 16. 25.
168
EIQ-VEDA SANHITA.
2. ^We solicit the radiant bounteous (Istdra),
surrounded by powers as a mountain (by clouds),
the supporter of many,^ — (we solicit him) speedily
for renowned ^ food, rich in cattle, and multiplied an
hundred and a thousand fold.
3. The vast firm mountains cannot stop thee,
Indra, — whatever wealth thou wouldst give to a
worshipper such as I, none can hinder thee therein.^
4. By thine exploits and might thou art a
warrior ; thou overpowerest all beings by thy deeds
and prowess; this hymn which the Gotamas have
made,®" causes thee to turn hither for their protection.
5. ® Indra, by thy might thou extendest beyond
^ Sama Yeda, IL 1. 1. 13. 2.
* Or be fed by the- offerings of puruhhojasam,
^ Say ana’s explanation of kshumantam is not clear, but he
seems to take it as ‘‘causing praises by means of the children
which it will produce,” saMavantamy anena putrddiham lahh^/ate,
stotradini hurvdmm, Kshumantam vdjam occurs in ii. 1. 10; 4. 8 ;
and is there explained saMavantam Mrtimantam, (Grassmann
explains it as ‘ nahrungsreich.’) Say ana adds that another in-
terpretation of the verse takes all the adjectives as agreeing
with Dajam, ^ Sama Yeda, I. 4. 1. 1. 4.
® This seems the obvious meaning of the words d iwdyam arka
iitaye mmrtati yam Gotamd ajijanan. But Sayana, holding the
eternity of the Yeda, explains the line, “ this hymn (or this
praiser) brings thee hither for their protection, whom they have
made manifest (in their sacrifice).”
® Sama Yeda, I. 4. 1. 2. 10, but with yo, saclohJiyaSy and ati
nswam for My antelhyasy and am swadhdm ; agreeing in the last
clause with i. 81. 5.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH ADHTATA.
169
the limits of heaven, the region of the earth cannot
contain thee ; deign to bring us food.
6. Hone can hinder thy bounty, Maghavan,
when thou gi vest wealth to thy votary ; most liberal
sender (of wealth), listen to our praise for the attain-
ment of food.
SdKTA IX. (LXXXIX.)
The deity is the same; the Risliis are E'mmedha and Puettmebua
of the family of Ahgieas ; the metre of the first four verses is
Pragatha^ of the fifth and sixth Amshtulh^ and of the seventh
PnkatL
1. ^Priests, sing to Indea the most sin-destroying Varga xii.
Brihat Bdman^ by which the upholders of truth
produced the divine all- waking luminary for the god.*
2. ^Indea, the destroyer of those who ofler not
praise, has driven away the malevolent* and has be-
come glorious ; O Indra of mighty splendour, lord
of the troops of Marots, the gods press thee ® for
thy friendship.
* Tajur Veda, 20. 30. Sama Veda, I. 3. 2. 2. 6.
* This is a certain Saman, but here it means a mighty hymn.
® That is, the Yiswe devah produced the sun jfor Indra by
means of the Brihat Saman. ITahidhara takes it as meaning
that they produced Indra’s own wakeful radiance thereby.
^ Yajur Veda, 33. 95.
* Sayana takes abhisastih as ‘injuries’ or ‘the injurers,’ sc.
enemies. Mahidhara, as usual, takes it as ‘calumnies,’ abhisd^cbu
® Sayana explains yemire by twdm niyachchhantij but l^Iahi-
dhara more correctly preserves the middle meaning (cf. V. 32. 10),
“ the gods anxiously devote themselves to win thy friendship.”
Cf. Sayana’ s own explanation in viii, 98. 3.
170
KIO-VEDA SAUHITA.
3. Priests, utter forth the hymn to your great
Indra ; let Saxakr.vttj, the slayer of Vrixea, smite
Veixra with his hundred-edged thunderbolt.^
4. Daring-souled (Indra), there is abundance of
food with thee, — boldly bring it to us; let our
mothers ® (the waters) impetuously spread over the
earth; smite Vrixea, and conquer all.
5. Maghavait, who hast none before thee, when
thou wast born for the slaying of Vrixea, then thou
didst spread abroad the earth, then thou didst prop
up the heavens.®
6. Then was the sacrifice j&loduood for thee, then
too the joyous hymn ; then didst thou surpass all,
whatever has been or will be born.*
7. ®In the immature (cows) thou produoedst the
mature ® (milk), thou oausedst the sun to arise in
heaven.^ (Priests), excite (Ixdea) with your praises
* Yajur Yecia, 33. 96. Sama Veda, I. 3. 2, 2. 5.
® The waters are called mothers from the passage in the Taitt.
Up. ii. 1, “from the waters comes the cai'th, from the earth the
plants, from the plants food, from food semen, from semen
man.’’
^ Sama Veda, II. 6. 2. 19. 1.
^ Sama Veda, II. 6. 2, 19. 2.
5 Sama Veda, II. 6. 2. 19. 3.
® Cf. i. 62. 9.
^ Sayana here repeats the legend of the P.mis and the stolen
cows of the Angirasas. The rishis implored Indra for help, who,
seeing that the stronghold of the Asuras was enveloped in thi(5k
darhness, set the sun in the sky to dispel it.
SIXTH ASIITAKA SIXTH ADHYAYA.
171
as men heat the Gharma with /S'«? 3 ?«H-hymns ; ^ (sing)
the acceptable Bi'ihatzSaman’ to him who is to be
honoui’ed by song.
SiJkta X. (XC.)
The deifcy and It'shh are the same; the metre is Prcigdtha.
1 . ^May IxDEA, who is to be invoked in all VargaXiii.
battles, regard our hymns and our libations, — he,
the slayer of VaiTitA, who crushes the mightiest
(foes),® who is worthy of his praise.
2. *Thou art the chief giver of wealth, thou
art truthful and makest thy worshippers rulers ; we
solicit (blessings) worthy of thee, lord of vast riches,
mighty son of strength.®
^ Eor the ceremony of heating the Malnivira or Gharma pot,
used in the Pravargya ceremony, see Prof. Hang's Ait; Brahm.
voL ii. p. 42. The Saman hymns repeated during the heating
are given in Ait. Brahm. i. 21.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 3. 2. 3. 7; II. 7. 1. 2. 1, but with Indra and
its adjectives in the accusative for the nominative, and hhMata
for hhushatu, i.e. (priests) honour Indra, etc.^'
^ Paramajyah also occurs in viii. 1. 30. Sayana's first ex-
planation is inadmissible, “he whose bowstring (jyd) is most
excellent (^aramd)^' (cf. Wilson's transl. vol. iv. p. 217); but
he adds another, taken in the text, rightly connecting it with the
root /yd, to which he gives the sense of himd, (Benfey in his
Diet, connects this root in the sense of overpowering' with
/3/a, ^Ld(o.) The St. Petersburg Diet, explains it “die hbchste
Obergewalt habend."
. Sama Yeda, II. 7. 1.2. 2.
Sayana obscurely explains this phrase, “son of strength,
172
RIG-VEDA SARHITA.
3. Indea, who art the object of hymns, unex-
aggerated^ praises are" offered by us; lord of bay
steeds, accept these fitting hymns, ^ which we have
meditated for thee.
4. Thou art truthful, Maghavan; unhumbled thy-
self, thou humblest many enemies; most mighty
thunderer, cause wealth to meet thy worshipper.
5. ®Thou, Tndra, lord of strength, art the glorious
possessor of the offered Soma ; alone with (thy
thunderbolt), that protector of men, thou smitest
the enemies that none else could oppose or drive away.
6. ‘Living one,® who possessest supreme know-
ledge, we verily ask thee for wealth as though it
Avere an inheritance ; thy abode (in heaven), Ixdra,
is vast like thy glory ; ® may thy blessings fill us.
because produced as the cause of strength in order to destroy
enemies’^ (cf viii. 92. 14). This strength, or victory through
strength, is the final cause of his production or manifestation by
the rite ; and the final cause being then taken for the efficient,
* strength ’ may thus be called the father.
^ Amtidhhutd is an obscure word j Sayana explains it sarvdn
atihramya, na lliavanti, mdragunavtjdpahdni yathdrtliabhktdni.
The St. Petersb. Diet, exjilains it '‘uniibertroffen,^’ and derives
it from atihlMa with an alliterative reference to adbJmta.
’ Tojana is also explained by Sayana as dotra in i. 88. 5.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 3. 2. 1. 6; II. 6. 2. l2. 1, but with
patih for -pate^ purv anidtas for anuttd^ and charskanidhritih for
-dhritd, ^ Sama Yeda, II. 6. 2. 12. 2.
^ A^um is explained halavan prdnavmi*
This is Sayaiia’s interpretation, following Yaska, Nir. v.
22. More probably it means ‘'thy protection is as a vast cloak,”
or ‘‘hide,” sec Prof, lluth's note in Ms edition.
SIXTH ASHTA.KA — SIXTH ADHYAYA.
173
SiJktaXL (XCI.)
ae deity is the same ; the Uishi is ApIlX the daughter of Atki ;
the metre is AnmMulih^ the exception of the first two
verses, which are Pankti.
1. ^A. young -woman going to the water found
' Sayana quotes a legend from the Satyayana Brahmapa to
illustrate this hymn. Apald the daughter of Atri, being afflicted
with a disease of the skin, was repudiated hy her husband;
she returned to her father’s hermitage, and there practised
penance. One day she went out to bathe, intending to make a
Soma offering to Indra, and as she was returning, she found some
Soma plants in the road. She gathered them and ate them as
she walked. Ind/ra, hearing the sound of her jaws, thought it
was the sound of the Soma stones, and appeared to her, asking
whether there were- any Soma stones bruising there. She ex-
plained the reason of the sound, and Indra turned away. She
called after him, “ why dost thou turn away ? Thou goest from
house to house to drink the Soma, now then drink the Soma
ground by my teeth and eat fried grains of barley.” She then
added, without paying him respect, I know not whether thou
art Indra, but if thou comest to my house I will pay thee due
honour.” Feeling however sure that it was really Indra, she
addressed the latter half of the third verse to the Soma in her
mouth. Indra then, falling in love with her, drank the Soma as
she wished. She then triumphantly exclaimed (v. 4) : I havp
been repudiated by my husband and yet Indra comes to me.”
Indra then granted her a boon and she thus chose, my father’s
head is bald, his field is barren, and my body is destitute of
hair ; make these things grow.” Indra granted the three boons.
For this hymn and legend, cf. Prof. Kuhn in Indische Stud. i.
pp. 118, 119, and Prof. Aufrecht, ih, iv. 1-8; Grimm, in his
Deutsche Myth. p. 1U8-21, and Xorddeutsche Sagen, p. 443.
174
EIG-YBDA SAOTITA.
Soma in the path ; as she carried it home she said,
I will press thee for Indea, I will press thee for
Sakea.^
2. ““Thou who goest from house to house a Eero
bright in thy splendour, drink this Soma pressed by
my teeth, together with fried grains of barley, the
Icaramhha,^ cakes, and hymns.
3. "We wish to know thee, but hero we know
thee not- 0 Soma, flow forth for Indea first slowly,
then quickly/
4. May (Indea) repeatedly make us powerful,
may he do abundantly for us, may he repeatedly
make us very rich; often hated by our husband
and forced to leave him, may we be united to Indea.
5. These three pldees, — do thou cause them all
to grow, — my father’s (bald) head, his (barren) field,
and my body,
6. This field which is our (father’s), and this my
body, and the head of my father, — do thou make all
these bear a crop.®
7. Thrice, Satakratd, didst thou purify Apala,
^ This verse is said by Apala, as Indra comes up and questions
* Apala says this as Indra turns to depart.
® A mixture of fried barley meal and butter or curds.
^ This is Sayana’s explanation of the words sanair iva sanahair
iva; but it is better to translate them, with Prof. Aufrecht,
^‘allmahlig und allmahliger tropfe.*'
® Lit. ^‘make them all hairy’' rormsdni, Cf. Propertius, iv.
2. 14, *^et coma lactenti spicea iruge tumet.”
SIXTH ASHTAXA — SIXTH ADHTATA.
175-
in the hole of the chariot, in the hole of the cart,
and in the hole of the yoke,^ and thou didst make
her with a skin resplendent like the sun,
SiJktVXII. (XCII.)
The deity is the same ; the BisM is Sectakak-sha or Sttkaep’^'
of 'the race of Astgieas; the metre is Gayatr\, except in the
first verse, where it is AnushiuVh.
1. ‘‘Sing, priests, that Ixdea, who drinks yourvai^v.
offered beverage, — the foe-subduing Sataxhatu,
most liberal of men.®
2. ^Proclaim that deity as Indra, who is invoked
by many, who is praised by many, who is worthy of
songs and renowned as eternal.
3. ®May Indra who causes all to rejoice',® be the
^ Sayana says that Indra dragged her through the wide hole of
his chariot, the narrower bole of the cart, and the small hole of the
yoke, and she* cast off three skins. The first skin became a hedge-
hog, the second an alligator, the third a chameleon. I suppose,
with Prof. Aufrecht, that the hole or space of the chariot and
cart represents the opening between the four wheels ; the hole of
the yoke seems to me to mean the opening through which the
animal’s head passed, corresponding to Homer’s ^^eir/kri XL 19.
406.
^ Sama Yeda, 1. 2, 2. 2. 1 ; II. 1. 2. 1. 1.
® Or to he most honoured of men.” MamhuTitha charshani-
ndm. ^ Sama Yeda, IL.l. 2. 1. 2.
® Sama Yeda, II. I. 2. 1. 3, with makondm for maJidndm.
® IfrituJi=nartayitd^ *‘he who causes all to dance,” cf. ii. 22.
4. Sayapa gives another explanation as ** bringer {netd) of kine
to thy votaries.” The St. Petersb. Diet, renders it lebhaft,
beweglich.”
176
Ria-YEDA. SANHITi.
giver of plenteous food to us ; may he, the mighty,
bring us (riches) up to our knees.
4. ^Indea, the handsome-jawed, has drunk of the
dropping cooked with barley, (the
offering) of Sudaksha*^ assiduous in sacrifice.
5. Loud^ praise that Indea that he may drink
the Soma, — it is this which gives him strength.
Varga XVI. 6. The god, having quaffed its exhilarations, by
the strength of the divine (Soma) has conquered all
worlds.
7. ^Bring hither for our protection Indea the
conqueror of many, who pervades all your praises
8. The warrior, whom none oppose and none can
harm, the quaffer of the Soma, the leader whose
deeds cannot be hindered.®
9. 0 thou worthy of our praise, thou who knowest
all things, repeatedly give us riches, protect us by
the wealth of our enemies.®
10. ’Come to us, Indea, from thence® with food
of an hundredfold strength, of a thousandfold strength.
> SamaVcda, I. 2. 2. 1. 1.
^ This is explained as the name of a Eishi. Benfey takes
• Budahshasya prahoshiiiak as epithets of the Soma, ‘‘des kraftigen,
aufregenden.’’
3 Sama Ycda, I. 2. 2. 3. 6; TI. 8. 1. 10. 1.
* This verse is addressed hy the sacrificer to the praising
priest. ® Sama Ycda, II. 8. 1. 10. 2.
« Siima Ycda, II. 8. 1. 10. 3.
’ S;ima Yeda, I. 3. 1..^. 2.
from heaven or from our enemies’ abode.
SIXTH ASHTAXA — SIXTH ADHTIYA.
17t
11. Saxea, let us go, proved in deeds, to deeds ; Vaiga xvii.
thanderer, cleaver of mountains, let us conquer in
battles by tby steeds.^
12. We refresh thee, Satakratu, with our
praises, as (the herdsman) the cattle vfuth (different
kinds of) pasture.
13. All mortal natures, Satazbatit, are moved by
desire ; we feel wishes, 0 thunderer.
14. 0 son of strength, men, uttering their desires,
abide happily in thee ; none, Indea, surpasses thee.
15. Showerer (of blessings), protect us by thy
action, which is most bounteous yet awful, foe-terri-
fying yet many-cherishing.®*
16. ®Eejoice us,^ Indea, Satakeattj, as thou re- Varga xviii.
joicest in that most glorious exhilaration of the
8oma ;
17. That Soma of thine, Indea, which is most
widely renowned, most destructive of thine enemies,
and most renovating to thy strength.
18. Thunderer, smiter of enemies, truthful drinker
of the Soma, we know (the wealth) which is given
by thee to all thy votaries.
^ Sayana says ‘‘ by steeds givea by thee.’^
* So Sayana, who eixploins jpurandhyd by hahundm dhdrayiirydi
but he himself explains the word in v. 35. 8 {no ratham avd pnr~
andhyd) by sohhanahuddhyd. I should therefore prefer to trans-
late the verse, “ Showerer, protect ns by thy care, by thy good
providence, which is bounteous and yet awful and foe-terrifying/’
® Sama Teda, 1. 2. 1. 3. 2.
^ Benfey takes it “des Bauschs berauschc dich.”
VOL. V, N
m
RIG-VEDA SANHITA.
1&. Let our voices praise on every side the {Soma)
effused to the exhilarated Ikdsa let the priests do
honour to the {Soma) honoured of all.^
20. “We invoke, now that the Soma' is effused,
that Indra in whom all graces are at their height;
■ and in whom the seven associated priests rejoice.®
Varga XIX. 21. ®The gods extended the heaven-revealing
sa’crifiee in the TrikadruJca days,^— may our praises
prosper it.
22. Let ttie /S'owa-drops enter thee as the rivers
the sea ; none, Indea, surpasses thee.®
23. Indra, showerer (of blessings), wakeful one,
thou hast attained by thy might the drinking of the
Swna which.enters into thy belly.®
24. Indra, slayer of Vritra, may the Soma be
enough for ,thy belly, may the drops be enough for
thy (various) bodies.'
* Sfima Yeda, I.. 2. 2. 2. 4; II. 1. 2. 4. 1.
_ * Sdma Veda, II. 1. 2. 4. 2.
* Sama Veda, II. 1. 2. .4. 3, The verse has already occurred
in viii. 13. 18, and Sayana there took yajnam as Indra, sc. ya»lt-
tavyam.
* These are the first three days of the ahhipldva, a religions'
ceremony ■which lasts six'days’and is a part of the Gav&mayma
sacrifice. The first three days are severally called jyofia, go aud
dyua, the last three go, dym and jyotit.
* Sama Veda, I. 3. 1. 1. 4; II. 8. 2. 2. 1.
* Sama Veda, II. 8. 2. 2. 2.
’ Sama Veda, II. 8. 2. 2. 3. Sayana explains ihdmahhyah for
thy varions bodies or splendours, ndndvidlwbhyah saHrebhyas iava
tejobhyo td.
SIXTH ASHTAKA— SIXTH ADHTIyA.
179
25. ^Srtjtakaksha sings enough for a horse, enough
for a cow, enough for a house of Ihdea’s.^
26. When our /Si?/»«-libations are effused, thou
art abundantly able® (to drink them), — may they he
onough for thee, the hounteoijs.
27. May our praises reach thee, thunderdr, even Varga xx.
from afar; may we obtain thy (wealth) abundantly.
28. ^Thou verily lovest to smite the mighfy,®thou
art a hero and firm (in battle), thy mind is to he
propitiated (by praise).
29. Iiord of great wealth, thy bounty is possessed
by aU thy worshippers ; therefore, Indea, be also my
ally.®
30. Be not like a la 2 y Brahndn^ 0 lord of food ;
rejoice thyself by drinking the effused Boma mixed
with milk.*^
‘ Sama Veda, 2. 1. 3. 4, 'wA'ckg&yata srtitalcaksha toT gdyati
srutakahshah,
® It is not clear whether these gifts are past or future ones, —
Sayana allows both interpretations. He explains Indrasya dMmne
as “for a house given by Indra.’’ Benfey takes it as Indra’s
heaven.
® Sayana takes Ihiishasi as for lhavasi, or ZB:=zprdpayay “ bring
us abundant wealth.’^ The St. Petersb. Diet, derives it from
Ihiish “ sieh ernstlich bemiihen um.^’
^ Sama Yeda, 1. 8. 1. 4. 10; 11. 2. 1. 18. 1.
® Benfey takes virayu as “ helden-liebend.”
» Sama Yeda, II. 2. 1. 18. 2.
’ Sama Yeda, II. 2. 1. 18. 3. Brahmm is explained here by
Sayana as a Brahmana, but cf. Hang’s Ait. Brahm. pref. p. 20,
and his transl p. 376.
180
BIG-VEDA SANHITi.
31. Indea, let not* the threatening prowling
(demons) obstruct us at night; let us smite them
with thee as our helper.^
32. With thee, Indea, as our helper, let us answer
our enemies ; thou art ours, we are thine.
33. Indea, may thy friends, the chanters, worship
thee, devoted to thy service and again and again
reciting thy praise.
S^KTA XIII. (XCIII.)
The deity is Iitdba, but in the last verse he is associated with the
EiBHirs ; the Rithi is SukakshA ; the metre is Qayatri.
Varga XXI. 1. Thou riscst, 0 sun, on (the sacrifice of Indea-)
the showerer (of blessings), the bountiful giver,
famed for his wealth, the benefactor of men ; ^
2. ’Who cleft the ninety-nine cities'* by the
strength of his arm, and, -slayer of Veitka, smote
Ahi.®
3. May Indea, our auspicious friend, milk for us,
like a richly-streaming (cow), wealth of horses, kine,
and barley.®
4. Whatsoever, 0 Sun, slayer of Yeitea, thou hast
risen upon to-day, — ^it is all, Indra, under thy power,’
* Sama Veda, 1. 2. 1. 4. 4, with yamata for yamm.
Sama Veda, 1. 2. 1. 4. 1 ; II. 6. 3. 4. 1. Indra is himself
one of the twelve .^dityas.
“ Sdma Veda, II. 6. 8. 4. 2. ^ Cf. Kg V. II. 19. 6.
. ® Sc. the cloud. ‘ Sama Veda, II. 6. 3.4. 3.
’ Tajur Veda, 33. 35. S4ma Veda, I. 2. 1. 4. 2.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH ADHYIta. 181
6. When, swelling in thy might, lord of the good,^
thou thinkest “ 1 shall not die,” that thought of
thine is indeed true.
6. Thou goest at onee, Indra, to all those Soma- Targa xxii.
libations which are effused afar or effused near.
7. We invigorate that (great) Iitdea for the
slaying of mighty Yritea ; may he be a bounteous
showerer (of wealth).®
8. ®Indea was created^ for giving, he, the most
mighty, was set over the exhilarating Soma ; he, the
glorious one, the lord of praise, is worthy of the Soma,
9. The mighty (Indra), unassailed by his foes,
hastens to confer wealth on his worshippers, — ren-
dered keen by their praises as a weapon, full of
strength and invincible.®
• 10. Inbea, worthy of our praise, do thou, hymned
by us, make our path plain even in the midst of
difficulties, (hear us), Maghavan, if thou lovest us ;
11. Thou whose commandr and rightful empire ® Varga xxiii,
neither god nor irresistible hero can harm.
12. Tea, deity of the handsome jaw, the two god-
desses, heaven and earth, both worship thy resist-
less consuming might.
^ According to Sdyana “ lord of the nahhatraaJ^
* Sama Veda, L 2. 1. 3. 5 ; IL 5. 1* 10. 1.
® S^ma Veda, II. 5. 1. 10. 2, witn hale for made.
* Sayana adds ‘‘by Prajapati at the tim^of creation.^’
® Sama Veda, II. 5. 1. 10. 3, with ugro for rishwah.
® Sayana gives another explanation of mardjya as sivarga-
Bwdmitwa. i
■182
BIG-TEDA SANHIXA.
13. It is thou that keepest this bright milk in
the black, red, and spotted cows.
14. When all the gods', fled in various directions
from the splendour of the -demon Ahi, and when
fear of the deer^ seized them,
15. Then was my Itoea the repeller ; then did
the smiter of Veitea put forth his might, he who
hath no existent enemies, the invincible.
Varga XXIV. 16. (Priests), I bring to you men, for great
wealth, that renowned and mighty one who utterly
destroyed Ymtea.^
17. thou bearing many names and praised by
many, when thou art present at our various 8oma-
libations, may we be endowed with a kine-desiring
mind.^
18. May the slayer of Vmtea, to whom many
libations are offered, know our desires, — may Sakea
hear our praises.®
19. Showerer (of Wessings), with what coming
‘ Cf. i. 80. 7; V. 32. 8; 34. 2.
* Sama Veda, I. 3. 1. 2. 5, with dsitlte for <£ sushe. 1 shoxild
prefer to take eharslianlndm as governed by the epithets of Indra,
“renowned and mighty amongst men.”
* S5ma Veda, I. 2. 2. 5. 4.
*• Saya^a explains this to mean “may we obtain kine.”
Gavymfd shonld mean “ with a desire for milk.” Might it be
rendered “ Come with this mind, with this desire for milk,
wheii thou art present at our /Sowa .offerings ” ?
* Sama Veda,,I. 2. 1. 5. 6, reading bodhanmand^.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH ADHTATA.
18 a
of thine dost thou gladden us, with what coming
bringest thou (wealth) to thy worshippers ? ^
20. At whose hymn-accompanied libations does
• the sbowerer, the lord of the Myuts,^ the slayer of
VniTitA, rejoice to drink the Soma ?
21. Eejoicing (in our oblations), bring us wealth vargaxxv.
a thousandfold ; remember that thou art the giver
to thy votary.
22. These >Sl 9 »ja-libations with their wives pro-
ceed (to Indea) longing to be drunk ; the stale
Soma, pleasing to the taste, goes to the waters.®
23. The sacrificing* priests, invigorating (Iitdka)
by their offerings at the sacrifice, have by their
might dismissed him to the Avahhritha} ,
'24. May those two golden-maned steeds together
exulting bring him to our wholesome offering.®^
^ Yajur Yeda, 36. 7. Sama Ycda, IL 7. 3. 7, !•
* The NiyutH 2 x^ Yayu’s horses, which he is said to hare lent
to indra on one occasion in battle.
^ This is a very obscure verse ; Sayana follows the explanation
given by Yaska, iWr. v. 18. The epithet patnivantah ‘‘with
their wives or protectresses is said to allude to the two kinds
of water, the Vdsativaryak and the Ekadhandh, used in the Boma
offerings. (Cf. Ait. Brahm. ii. 20.) At the time of the Ava-
bhritha, or concluding ceremonies of purification, the rijisha or
stale Soma is thrown into the waters. The epithet nichumpunah^
which. Ydska explains niohamanena prindt% is derived by Mahi-
dhara (Yajur Y. 3.. 48) fi:om the root chip ‘lent^ incedere,’ and
similarly the St. Petersb. Bict. explains it ‘ schliipfrig.’
* Sama Yeda, I.. 2. 2. 1. 7, with vridhantah.
* See via. 32. 29.
184
EIG-TEDA SANHITl,
VaigaXXVI.
Varga XXVII.
25. Eesplendent (Agni), these ^owa-libations are
effused for thee, and the dipt grass is spread ; bring
IxDEA hither for his worshippers.^
26. May he give strength and his brilliant heaven
and precious things to thee his worshipper, and to
his praising priests ; worship IndeI.
27. I prepare, Saxakbatu, thy strong (Soma) and
all thy praises ; be gracious, Indea, to thy hymners.
28. Bring us what is most auspicious, Satakeatu,
(bring us) food and strength, if thou hast favoxn to
us, Indea.®
29. Bring us all blessings, Satakeattt, if thou
hast favour to us, Inbea.
30. Bearing the effused libation, we invoke thee,
mightiest slayer of Yeitea, if thou hast favour to
us, Indea.
31. Come with thy steeds to our effused libation,
lord of the SomUj — come with thy steeds to our
effused libation.®
32. ^Inbea, Satakeatti, mightiest slayer of
Vmiea, thou whose power is known in a twofold
way,® come with thy steeds to our effused libation.
^ Sdma Yeda, I. 3. 1. 2. 10, but with some Yariatious.
* Sama Yeda, I. 2. 2. 3. 9.
» Sama Yeda, I. 2. 2. 1. 6; II. 9. 1. 10. 1.
^ Sama Yeda, II. 9. 1. 10. 2.
® f. 0 , Tbou art known in thy terrible form as the slayer of
Yyitra, etc., and in thy merciful form as the protector of the
world. Of. sup. 70, 2. The St. Petersb. Diet, explains dwitd
as ‘ besonders.^
SIXTH ASHXAKA — SIXTH ABHTATA.
185
33. Slayer of Vritka, thou art the drinker of
these Soma juices, come with thy steeds to our
effused libation.^
34. ^MaylxDRA bring to us the bounteous Eibhh
Eibhukshaxa® to partake of our sacrificial viands ;
may he, the mighty, bring the mighty (Yaia).
anuvAka X.
ADHYAYA YI. Continued.
sfeA I. (xcrv.)
The deities are the Maeuis; the J^ishi is Yistdtj or PtiiiDAKSHA
of the family of An&ieas ; the metre is Gdyatri.
1. *The cow ® (Pri^ni), the food-desiring mother
of the wealthy Maritts, drinks (the Soma ), — she is
worthy of all honour, who yokes (the mares) to their
chariots,
2. She, in whose presence all the gods observe
their functions, and the sun and moon move in peace
to enlighten the world.
* Sama Teda, II. 9. 1. 10. 3.
» Sama Yeda, I. 3. 1. 1. 6.
’ Bibhukshana was the eldest and Vaja the youngest of the
three brothers. The Eibhus have a share in the evening
libation between Prajapati and Savitri, see Ait. Brahm. iii. 30.
This verse is addressed to the Bibhus in the evening libation on
the ninth day of' the Dwadasdha ceremony {ih. v. 21).
‘ Sama Veda, 1. 2. 2. 1. 5.
’ Cf. i. 23. 10 ; ii. 34. 2, etc.
186
EIGt-TEDA SANHirl.
3. Therefore all our priests in, their worship
always sing the Maruts that they may drink the
8<ma}
4. This Soma is efiused (by us); the seLi-resplen-
dent Maetjts drink of it, and the Aswins/-*
6. ®Miiea, Artaman, and Tartota drink (the
Soma), purified by the straining cloth, abiding in
three places,^ and granting posterity.®
6. Inrea also is eager in the morning to drink
this effused [Soma) mixed with milk, as a priest (to
praise the gods).®
\rarga XXIX. 7. "When do the sages flash like waters across
(the sky) ? when do the Maruis, pure in Tigour,
destroyers of enemies, come to our offering i*
^ Sayana explains this Terse. all our priests in their worship
always sing that (might of the Maruts) that they may drink the
Soma ; the Maruts (are to he invoked hy us)/*
* Sama Teda, I. 2. 2. 3. lu II. 9. 1. 8. L The construction
would rather indicate that swardjah is an epithet of asya
(somasya), not of marutaL
« Sdma Yeda, IL 9. 1. 8. 2.
* ** The Soma juice, when it is extracted, is poured into the
Adhavaniya, a kind of trough. Thence it is poured into a cloth,
in order to strain it. This cloth is called JPavitra or Da§dpavitm.
Below the cloth is another trough called TiitabhriV'* {Hang),
These are the ** three places** of the text.
® Jdvatah is a hard word. Sayana explains it stutyajamvmtam
** having reference to praiseworthy persons**; I have adopted
the rendering of the St. Petersburg Diet. *^an Nachkommen-
schaft reich, der Nachkommenschaft gehen kann/*
® Sama Veda, II. 9. L 8. S
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH ADHTATA.
187
8. 0 shall I to-day possess your protection, mighty '
deities, beautifully bright in yourselves (though un-
adorned) ?
9. (We invoke) those Maruts to drink our Soma,
■who have spread out all the things of earth and the
luminaries of heaven.
10. 0 Maruts, I invoke you, resplendent, of
pur.e vigour, to drink this Soma.
11. I invoke those Maruts to drink this Soma,
who have established heaven and earth.
12. I invoke that band of the Maruts, abiding in
the clouds, the showerers, to drink this Soma.
StiKiA II. (XOY.)
The deity is Iistbra ; the ^ishi is TiitASCHf of the tamily of
Angibas ; the metre is AnushfuhL
1. 0 Indra worthy of praise, when the Soma is Vargsxxx.
effused, our songs hasten to thee as a charioteer (to
his goal) ; they low towards thee as cows towards
their calves.^
2. Indra worthy -of praise, let the bright Soma-
libations come to thee; drink thy portion of the
beverage ; Indra, in all places it is fit for thee.
3. Drink to thy fill, Indra, the effused Soma
brought by the hawk,^ thou art the lord of all the
divine hosts,® thou art the self-resplendent.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 4. 2* 1. 8. * Cf. L 80. 2.
® J^^ya^a takes saswatindm with visdmj as hah^t^ndm marud-
gandndm sarveshdm devagandndm cha.
188
EIG-VEBA 8ANHITA.
4. Hear, Indra, the prayer of TiraschI who
worships thee, and satisfy him with wealth bringing
gallant offspring and cattle, — for thou art mighty.^
5, To him who has made for thee this newest
joy-giving hymn, do thou, Indra, (extend) thine
ancient truthM providence to which all hearts are
known.®
Varga XXXI. 6. Let US praise that Indra whom our chants and
hymns have magnified; we worship him, desirous
to honour his many deeds of might.®
7. ^Come let us praise the purified Indra with a
pure Sdman and with pure recited hymns ; let the
pure (Soma) mixed with milk gladden him waxing
strong.®
8. ®Come to us, Indra, purified ; purified with thy
pure protecting hosts ; purified establish wealth
in us ; purified and now worthy of the Soma, rejoice.
9. Purified, Indraj give us wealth ; purified give
‘ Sama Veda, I. 4. 2. 1. 5 ; II. 2. 2. 19. 1.
® Sdma Veda, 11. 2. 2. 19. 2, with yas ta Indratox Indra yas te.
^ Sanaa Veda, II. 2. 2. 19. 3.
* Sanaa Veda, I. 4. 2. 1.9; II. 6. 2. 9. 1, with suddhaih in
the second line for suddha.
® Sayana illustrates this and the following verses by a legend
from the Satyayana Brahmana. Indra, after the slaughter of
Vritra, being polluted by the guilt of Brahmanicide, begged the
Eishis to purify him by their Saman hymns. They accordingly
said these verses and he became purified ; and they then ofiferod
him the Soma, etc.
® Sama Veda, II. 6. 2. 9. 2.
The Maruts.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SIXTH AHHTATA.
189
to tliy worshipper precious things; purified thou
smitest thy enemies ; purified thou desirest to give
as food.^
SiJkta, III. (XCVI.)
The deity of the hymn is except that in the last part of
the fourteenth verse the Maruts and in the fifteenth Ixdka and
Brihaspati are addressed; the Eishi is DruTAisrA, the son of
the Martjts, or TiRAScni ; the metre is Trislitulh^ except in the
fourth verse, where it is Virdj.
1. For him the dawns prolonged their rising ; for
Indea the nights uttered auspicious voices by night;®
for him the waters, the mothers, the seven rivers,
stood, offering an easy passage for men to cross over.
2. By him the thrower, unaided, were pierced
asunder the thrice seven table-lands ® of the moun-
tains heaped together; neither god nor mortal
(jould do what he, the showerer, in his fullgrown
strength has done.
3. Indea’s iron thunderbolt is grasped firmly in
liis hand ; enormous strength resides in his arms ;
when he goes forth (to battle) there is ample em-
ployment for his head and his mouth,* and (his
followers) rush near him to hear his commands.
^ Sama Yeda, II. 6. 2. 9. 3.
® Sayana’s explanation is, ‘‘All men read the Yeda, etc., in
the latter half of the night ; therefore the voices of the night
were auspicious; they studied the Yeda under Indra’s direction.’’
® For this legend compare stiprd, p. 150.
^ i.e. his head is employed in fitting the helmet, etc., and his
L'yes in seeing the enemy ; and the mouth issues its various orders.
190
EIG-TEDA SlKHUi.
4. I think thee the most worthy among those
worthy of sacrifice ; X think thee the overthrower of
the imperishable^ (mountains) ; I think thee, Indea,
the banner ^ of warriors ; I think thee the showerer
(of blessings) to men.
6. When, Ihdra, thou graspest in tnine arms
thy pride-humbling thunderbolt to smite Ahi, when
the mountain-clouds loudly roar and the cows®
loudly bellow, then the Brahmans* offer their
worship to Indra.
6. Let us praise that Iedea who produced all
these things, to him all beings are subsequent;
may we maintain friendship with Indea by our
hymns,® let us bring the showerer (of blessings)
near us by our praises.
7. “All the gods who were thy friends forsook
thee, fiying away at the snorting of Yeitea ; O
Indea, let there be friendship to thee "with the
Maeijts ; ’ then dost thou conquer all these hostile
armies.
' Sa^'ana adds another interpretation “ of the heroes not to be
overtlirown.’^
* Another hut less likely interpretation is the manifester of
thyself to thy worsliippers.”
® The cows are the waters pent within the clouds.
* Say ana explains hrahmdnah as '' the Brahmans,” or as ‘^the
moimtiiins, etc.”
^ Suyana takes mil ram as for maitrim; hut he offers another
interpretation, ‘‘let us say by our hymns ^may we he friends
with Indra.’ ” ® Same Ycda, L 4. 1. 4. 2.
' Cf. Ait. Bnihm. iii. *20. The Alanits alone did not leave him.
SIXTH ASHTAKA, — SIXTH ADHTATA. 191
8. These sixty-three Maruts* were worthy of
sacrifice, nourishing thy vigour like cows gathered
together ; we come to thee, do thou grant us our
portion ; so will we produce strength in thee by
this offering.
9. Thy sharp bow, the host of Maruts, and thy
thunderbolt who, Indra, has ever withstoo*! ? The
Asuras are weaponless and abandoned by the gods,
drive them away by thy discus, 0 RijisMn?
10. Send forth an excellent hymn to great
(Indra), the strong, mighty, and most fortunate,
(that he may prosper) my cattle ; utter many praises
to Indra who is borne by praise,* may he speedily
give much wealth to me.
11. Send forth thy praise to mighty Indra who is
borne by hymns, as (a sailor sends a traveller) in a
ship across the rivers ; bring to me by thy rites that
^ Trih JShashfih would properly mean ^thrice sixty/ but
Sayana takes it expressly as sixty-three, and explains it by
adding that there were nine companies of the Maruts, each com-
posed of seven. The White Yajnr Yeda, 17. 81-86 (cf. 39. 7),
gives six companies of seven each ; and Sayana in his Comm, on
Taitt. Samh. i. 5. 11, where he <juotes ii. 2. 5, [saftagand vai
Marufah) similarly gives the same number (42), but with ap-
parently differing names ; he adds however, the other gana is
to be sought in another ^akha.^’ Here he quotes five ganas from
the Samhita, iv. 6, 5 ; a sixth, he says, is found in a Khila or
supplementary portion, and the three ganas remaining to make
up the total of 63 he takes from the Taitt. iiiranyaka, iv. 24, 25.
® Cf. viii. 86. 4.
192
EIG-VEDA SAKHITA.
wealth -which belongs to him renowned and bene-
ficent; may he speedily give much wealth.
12. Perform those rites of thine that Indra may
accept them ; praise him to whom praise belongs,
worship him with thy service ; 0 priest, adorn thy-
self, grieve not (for poverty) ; let Indea hear thy
praise, may he speedily give much wealth.
13. ^ The swift-moving Krishna with ten thousand
(demons) stood on the Amsumati ; by his might
Indra caught him snorting (in the water) ; he,
benevolent to man, smote his malicious (bands).**
14. “ I have seen the swift-moving (demon)
lurking in an inaccessible place, in the depths of
Siima Ycda, I. 4. 1. 4. l/witli snikitim nrimand adkadrdk as
the last clause.
^ Sayan a illustrates this and the following Terses by a legend
that Indra, aided by Bribaspati and the Maruts, slew the asura
Krishna, who with 10,000 other asuras had occupied the river
Ainsnmuti, which is said to be the Yamuna. He adds a different
h‘gt‘nd from tlic Brihaddevata, which, however, not being
declared by a rishi, is not to be implicitly received. (On this
cf. Miiller’s remarks in Yar. Lcctt.) This other account is to
the effect that the Soma, being afraid of Yritra, took refuge with
the Kurus by the river Ainsumati. Indra followed it with
Brihaspati and the Haruts, and b(^getT: it to return. It however
refused, and attempted to resist;, but it was ultimatclj- conquered
and carried back to the gods, who drank it and in consequence
vanquished the demons. Drapsa is a common word for Soma,
Hhe dropping,’ and can hardly mean ts^vift-moving ’ as Sayana
takes it. Benfcy refers the line to the cloud, taking Amsumati
ns the sunlight, ‘‘In die Anqumati sinkt nicdcioilcnd, her-
sehreitend mit zchutausendpn dcr schwarze.’*
SIXTH ASHTAXA — SIXTH ADHYAYA. 193
the riyer Amsumati, (I have seen) Kuishxa stand-
ing there as (the sun) in a cloud ; I appeal to you,
showerers ; conquer him in battle.^ ”
15. Then the swift-moving one shining forth as-
sumed his own body by the AmshmatI, and Indra
with Brihaspati p,s his ally smote the godless^ hosts
as they drew near.
16. ^As soon as thou wast bom, Ixdra, thou wast vargaxxxv.
an enemy to those seven who had no enemy ; * thou
recoveredst the heavens and earth when concealed
(in darkness) ; thou causest joy to the mighty woi'lds.
17. Thunderer, thou, the resolute one, didst smite
that unrivalled might with thy bolt ; thou destroyedst
SusHNA with thy weapons, thou recoveredst the
cows, Indra, by thy wisdom,
18. Thou, showerer, wast the mighty destroyer of
the hindrances of thy worshippers ; thou didst set
free the obstructed rivers, thou didst Avin the waters
which the Dasas had mastered.
19. He who noble in his exploits rejoices in the
^ This is Indra’s speech to the Maruts. I suppose the simile
means that, though the demon thinks to conceal himself, he is
seen as clearly by Indra as the sun is behind a cloud.
Saya^a explains adevih as ‘'not shining, dark,” or “not to
be praised” (YirgiPs “ illaudati
® Sama Yeda, I. 4. 1. 4. 4.
^ Sc. Krishna, Yritra, Kamuchi, Sambara, etc. Another in-
terpretation is “ thou wast an enemy to those who had no enemy,
on behalf of the seven sages (the Angirasas), i.e. in order to
recover their cows.”
YOL. V.
0
194
EIG-VBDA SAKTHITI.
/^oma-libations, he whose wrath cannot be repelled
and who is wealthy as the days/ he who alone per-
forms the rites for his worshipper, — he^ the slayer
of Veitka, men say, is a match for all others.
20. Indea is the slayer of Veetra, the cherisher
of men; let us invoke him, worthy of invocation,
with an excellent hymn ; he is Maghavan, onr pro-
tector, our encourager, he is the bestower of food
that brings fame.
21. As soon as he was born, he, Indea, the slayer
of Veitea, the chief of the Eibhtts, was worthy to
be invoked; he, performing many sacred acts for
men, is worthy to be invoked for his friends like
the quaffed ^owa-juice.
SdKiA IV. (XCYII.)
TKe deity is Indea; tke Ei%hi is Rebha of the family of Kasxapa ;
the metre of the first nine verses is Brihati, of the tenth and
thirteenth Atijagatx^ of the eleventh and twelfth Uparishfad-
Irikatij of the fourteenth Trishtubh, of the fifteenth BagatL
1. Indra, lord of heaven, with those good things
ivhich thou hast carried off from the Asuras do thou
prosper, 0 Maghavae, thy praiser and those who
have spread for thee the clipped grass.^
2. Those horses, those cows, that imperishable
wealth which thou hast seized (from thy enemies).
‘ SAyana adds “ wealth is produced in the days, not in the
nights.”
‘ SAma Veda, I. 3. 2. 2. 2.
SIXTH ASHTAXA. — SIXTH ADHTItA. 195
— bestow tbem on the sacrificer who offers the Soma
and is liberal to the priests, — not on the niggard.
3. Let him, Indea, who sleeps away careless of
the gods and offering no sacrifices, — let him lose his
precious wealth by his own evil courses,^ and then
do thou stow him away in some hidden place.
4. ^Whether, Sakea, thou art in the far-distant
region, or whether, slayer of Yiutea, thou art in the
lower,® — the sacrificer longs to bring thee, Indea,
from thence by his hymns as by heaven- going ^
steeds ;
6. Or whether then art in the brightness of heaven,
or whether in some region in the midst of the sea,
or whether, mightiest slayer of Viutea, in some
abode in the earth, or whether in the firmament, —
come to us.
6. Indea, drinker of the Soma, lord of strength,
now that our >S'o»za-libations have been effused, do
thou gladden us with wholesome food ® and ample
wealth.
* Sayjina adds “ by gambling, etc.”
* Sdma Yeda, I. 3. 2. 3. 2.
’ Whether thou art in the heaven or in the firmament.
‘ Sayana takes dyiigat as an instrumental plural with its case-
termination dropped. The St. Petersb. Diet, takes it as an
adverb “ durch den Himmel her.”
® Siinritavatd “truthful, right,” is also explained “accom-
panied by truthful words ; ” Sayana adds that it really means
“accompanied by children.” It should rather be “gladden us
with generous gifts.”
196
EIG-TEDA SAITHITI.
7. Leave us not, Indra, t)ut share our joy ; thou
art our protection, thou art our kindred ; Indea,
leave us not.^
8. Sit with us, Indea, at the oblation to drink
the Soma ; Maghavan, perform a mighty protection
for thy worshipper, (seated) with ns at the oblation.
9. Thunderer, neither gods nor mortals equal
thee by their acts; thou surpassest all beings by
thy might, the gods equal thee not.
10. *^The assembled (priests) have roused Indea,
tne leaner, the conqueror in all battles ; they have
created him (hy their hymns) to shine, — him the
mightiest in his acts, the smiter of enemies for
spoil, the terrible, the most powerful, the stalwart,
the furious.
11. ®The Eebhas have together praised Indea
that he may drink the Soma ; when (they praise)
the lord of heaven that he may wax strong (by the
oblations), then he, observant of pious rites, is united
to his strength and his protecting guards.^
' Sama Teda, I. 3. 2. 2. 8, tritih. tadhamddye. Cf. also viii.
3. 1.
* Sdma Teda, I. 4. 2. 4. 1 ; II. 3. 1. 14. 1, with severiil
variations in the second line.
* S&na Veda, II. 3. 1. 14. 8, with tam v and swa^patih for
tarn im and iwahpatim.
* Sc. hy the praises of the worshippers he acquires strength,
and the Moruts are his guards.
SIXTH ASHTAKA— SIXTH ADHYAYA. 197
12. ‘At the first sight (the Eebhas) bow to him
who is tHe circumference of the wheel, the priests
(worship) with their praise (Indra) the ram ; ^ radi-
ant and unharming, do you also, full of earnest-
ness, sing in his ear with your hymns.
13. Again and again I invoke the strong Ixdra,
Maghavan, who alone really possesses might, the
irresistible j may he draw nigh through our songs,
most bounteous and worthy of sacrifice ; may he, the
thunderer, make all things prosperous for our wealth.®
14. Indra, mightiest Sakra, thou knowest how
to destroy those cities (of Sambara) by thy strength ;
at thee all worlds tremble, thunderer, — heaven and
earth (tremble) with fear.
15. Indra, hero assuming many forms, may that
truthfulness of thine protect me ; bear us, thunderer,
over our many sins as over waters ; when, radiant
Indra, wilt thou give us some wealth, desirable to
all, manifold in its kinds ?
^ Sama Yeda, II. 3. 1. 14. 2, with abhtsioare.
® Alluding to the legend of India’s carrying off Medhatithi in
the form of a ram Cf. i. 51. 1 ; viii. 2. 40.
* Sama Teda, I, 5, 2. 3. 4, with some variations.
198
EIG-VEDA SANHITA.
Vaiga I.
SEVENTH ADHY^YA.
MANPALA VIIL Oontinxjed.
ANUVA'KA X. CoKTiNUED.
StiKTA V. (XCVIII.)
The deity is Iitdea ; the MisU is Nmseedha of the family of
Anoikas ; the metre is UsJmih, hut in the seventh, tenth and
eleventh verses it is Kakuhh, and in the ninth and twelfth
Fara-usJinih.
1. Sing a Sdman to Indea, a Brihat to the mighty
sage, to the performer of religious rites, the all-
knowing one who longs for praise,^
2. Thou art the conqueror, Indea; thou hast
lighted up the sun ; thou art the maker of all, the
lord of all the gods, the mighty.®
3. ®Thou hast pervaded the light of the sky,'*
illumining heaven by thy splendour; the gods,
Indea, submissively solicit thy friendship.
4. Come to us, Indea, beloved one, triumphant,
* Sama Veda, I. 4. 2. 5. 8; II. 3. 2. 22. 1, with hrahmaJcrit$
for dharmahrite.
® Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 22. 2. For vimadeva compare supiA
V. 82. 7.
“ SSma Veda, II. 3. 2. 22. 3.
* I have here taken rochanam divah in its usual meaning.
Saya^ia explains the line “thou hast pervaded and illumined
by thy light heaven which manifests the sun (as being its re-
ceptacle).”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ABHTAYA. 199
and whom none can conceal — ^lord'of heaven, vast
on all sides as a mountain.^
5. Truthful drinker of the Soma, thou surpassest
heaven and earth; O.Indea, thou art the fosterer
of him who prepares the libation, thou art the lord
of heaven.*
6. ®Thou, Indra, art the stormer of many hostile
cities, the slayer of the Dasyu, the fosterer of man,^
the lord of heaven.
7. ®Indra worthy of hymns, we send our earnest yarga
praises® to thee as men going by water (splash their
friends) with handfuls.*
8. ®As the lake (swells) with the rivers, so our
praises, 0 hero, 0 thunderer, augment thee as thou
growest more and more® day by day.
1 Sama Yeda, I. 5. 1. 1. 8 ; II. 5. 1. 19. 1.
” Sama Veda, II. 5. 1. 19. 2,
® Sama Yeda, II. 5. 1. 19. 3, with, dhartd for dartd,
^ Say ana explains manoh as the man who offers sacrifice/^
® Sama Yeda, I, 5. 1. 2. 8; II. 1. 1..28, 1, with some varia-
tions.
® Or ^‘desires,’’ ^‘prayers,’’ cf. i. 81. 8.
’ The schoL adds in sport.^^ Sayana, in his Comm, on the
corresponding phrase in the Sama Y. (not found in the Bibl.
Ind. ed.), udeva gracmta udalhih^ explains it as men going by
the water, i,e, a river, or the waters, i.e, the sea (I read in
Benfey’s quotation samudralah^hanath)^ desire an eightfold gain.''
Benfey translates it wir sprengten dir, wie WeHen uber Wellen
gehn.^^
« Sama Yeda, II. 1. 1. 23. 2.
® Sayaiia takes hrahmdni vavridhwamam ** swelling with our
praises even more* than the lake.*^
Varga III.
2U0 EI(S-VEDA SANiniA.
9. ^(The priests) by their bymu yoke in the swift
deity’s huge broad-yoked chariot the two Indra-
bearing steeds yoked at a word.
10. ^Ikdea, all-beholding. Maghavan, bring us
strength and wealth; (we solicit thee) the host-
overpowering champion.®
11. *Thou hast been our father, 0 giver of dwell-
ings, thou our mother, 0 Sataeratu; we pray for
that happiness which is thine.
12. Mighty Sataeratu, invoked by many, I
praise thee desirous of offerings ; do thou give us
wealth.®
StfKTA. YI. (XCIX.)
The deity and ^ishi are the same ; the metre Prdg&tha.
1. Thunderer, thy worshippers, ready with their
oblations, have to-day and yesterday made thee
drink (the Soma ) ; listen, Indra, here to us who
offer thee praise, and come thou to our dwelling.®
2. Handsome-jawed lord of steeds, rejoice (in the
libation); we pray to thee, thy votaries come to
^ Sama Yeda, II. 1. 1. 23. 3, adding sivar-vuld.
» SamaTeda, 1. 5. 1. 2. 7; IL 4, 2. 13. 1.
* So Sayana, supplying twdm dydchdmalie, Tlie true con-
struction is undoubtedly bring us a bost-overpowering
cliampion/' sc. a son.
* Sanaa Veda, II. 4. 2. 13. 2.
* Sama Veda, II. 4, 2. 13, 3, witb sahmhrita for sataJcrato.
« Sama Veda, I. 4. 1. 1. 10; IL 2. 1. 14. 1, yfit)x atomavd^
hdmh for '‘sdm
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHYATA. 201
thee ; Indea, worthy of praise, may thy food be
a pattern and excellent.^
3. ^As the gathering (rays) proceed to the sun, so
(the Maettts proceed) to Indea, and by their power
divide all his treasures among those who have been
or will be bom ; may we meditate on our share.®
4. Praise him the bestower of wealth, whose gifts
are never evil ; Indea’s gifts are fortunate ; he
directs his mind to the gift and mars not the desire
of his worshipper.^
5. Indea, thou conquerest in battles all opposing
hosts; 0 opposer who beatest down those who
would oppose, thou art the smiter of the wicked.
^ Sanaa Yeda, IL 2. 1. 14. 2, with iikthya for uldhyd, Sayana
iak%&upamdni as upamdna-hJiiLtdni\ it means rather ^magnificent.’
* Sama Yeda, I. 3. 2. 3. 5 ; II. 5. 2. 14. 1, reading jdto jayii-
mdni and didhimah. Yajur Yeda, 33, 41.
® This is an obscure verse and Yaska’s interpretation {Mr.
vi. 8) throws but little light. Sayana gives another explanation,
in which ho takes IhahsJiata as=:hhr(/ataj and not aszzzvMaJantef
** (0 worshippers), as the gathering (rays) proceed to the sun,
so do you enjoy all the wealth of Indra; and let us possess like
an inheritance the treasures which by his power (he distributes)
to him that has been or will be born.” Mahidhara’s explanation
seems much simpler and better, the gathering (rays) proceeding
to the sun distribute all Indra’s treasures (to living beings, sc. as
rain, com, etc.) ,* may we too by our power leave those treasures
as an inheritance to him who has been or will be born.”
* Saraa Yeda, II. 5. 2. 14. 2, with alarshirdtm for amrsard’^
tim.
202 EIG-VEDA SAEHITA.
the bringer (of evil to thine enemies), and the de-
stroyer of all.^
6. ^Heaven and earth follow thy destructive
energy as mothers their child ; since thou smitest
Vkitba, all the hostile hosts, Indra, faint® at thy
wrath.
7. (Worshippers), summon hither for protection
him who never grows old, the repeller (of enemies),
himself never repelled, the swift conqueror, the driver,
the best of charioteers, unharmed of any, the aug-
menter of water.^
8. We solicit for our protection Indra, the con-
secrator of others® but himself consecrated by none,
' Sama Yeda, I. 4. L 2. 9 ; II. 8. 1. 8. 1, witli vritratiili for
viswatiih, Yajur Teda, 33, 66. Mahidliara takes ti^rya as an
iinperatiTe=mdmyfj, not as a yocative.
® Sama Teda, 11. 8. 1. 8. 2, Yajur Yeda, 33, 67.
® The texts of R.Y., S.Y., and Y.Y. read snathayanta^ which
properly means to kiil,'^ but must here have a passive meaning.
Sayana' and Mahfdhara read srathayanta^ which they explain
hhinni lhavantij they are wearied, afflicted.’’ Benfey translates
it ** sinkt kraftlos/’ and adds in Gloss, ‘^gnath hat hier wohl un~
zwcifelhaft die Bed. von graih ‘ laxari ’ ‘ erschlafflen.’ ” Sraiha-
yanfa is probably the right reading.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 3. 2. 5. 1.
* Mahidhara (Yaj. Y. 12. 110) explains isJihartdrmn myajna^
mshpddalcam^ but Sayana takes it as satriinam (?) samslcartdram.
As one of the meanings of samsM^a is the investiture with the
sacred thread, and vrdtya is the name for one ir whose youth
the customary observances have been omitted and who has not
received his investiture with the sacred thread, the epithet
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHYAYA. 203
produced by strength,* possessing an hundredfold
protection, possessing hundredfold knowledge, a
common deity to many, hiding treasures in his store-
house and sending wealth (to his votaries).
StjKTA VII. (C.)
The deity is Ikdra., except in the tenth and eleventh verses, where
it is VlCH ; the Rishi is ITema. of the family of Bhrigtt, except
in w. % 5, where it is said to he Ixdra , the metre is Trkhtuhh
except in the sixth verse, where it i&Jagati^ and in the seventh,
eighth and ninth, where it is Amishtuhh,
1. I here go before thee^ with my son, the YisvrE
Devas follow after me; if, Indea, thou keepest
wealth for me, then put forth thy strength on my
side.®
2. I offer the beverage of the exhilarating drink
first to thee, let the effused enjoyable Soma be
placed within thee ; be tUou a friend on my right
hand, then will we two smite our many enemies,
3. Offer fervently, my war-loving companions,
true praise to Indra, if he truly exists ; Nema says
“verily there is no Indra;” who has ever seen him ?
whom shall we praise ?
anishkritam may perhaps illustrate the application of the term
wdtya to tht supreme Being in PrasnaTJpan. ii. 11, cf. Sankara’s
comm. ^rathamajatwdd anyasya samsTcartur abhdvdd asamkrito
vrdtyas iwam swalMvata eva suddhahJ^ Grassmann explains
uhkartdram anishlcritam as ‘ director, thyself undirected.’
^ Cf. viii. 90. 2.
® Sayana adds ''to conquer my enemies.’’
* if thou wishest to give me the wealth of my enemies,
come and help me to overcome them.
204
RIG- VEDA S-\NniXA.
Varga V.
4. (Tudea speaks) “ Here I am, worskipper, be-
hold me here ; I overpower all beings by my might ;
the offerer s of sacrifi ce magnify me by their praises ;
I, the shatterer, shatter the worlds.
6. “ When the lovers of sacrifice ascended to me
sitting alone on the hack' of my well-loved (firma’^
ment), then my mind verily proclaimed to my heart,
‘ my friends with their children are crying to me.’ ”
■ 6. Yerily all those deeds of thine, Maghavait, are
to he proclaimed, which thou hast achieved for him
who offers libations in the sacrifices ; that wealth of
Paravat,’* collected by many,® thou hast opened to
Sarabha, the kinsman of the BisM.
7. Haste now severally forward ; he is not here
who stopped your way, — has not Indra let fall his
thunderbolt in the very vitals of that enemy ? ^
^ Haryatasya prislithe is explained by the Schol. as Mntasya
antarihshasya prishthe. Cf. Plato, Phcedrus, iTrlrtprov ovpavov
* Sayana only adds “ a certain enemy so called.’’ Pdrdvata
probably means ‘‘brougbt.from afar.”
® Sayana takes piiru-samhhritam adverbially (but perhaps only
as an alternative rendering, see var. lect.); ‘‘that wealth of
Paravat thou hast opened to Sarabha, so that it now is collected
by many.” He only adds that Sarabha was a Eishi.
^ I have ventured to give an independent version of this verse,
as I do not quite understand Sayana’s Comment. He apparently
reads ni for the na of the second line, and seems to explain the
verse: “that enemy who was running forward and stayed not
apart and did not hinder you, — Indrahas thrown {nyapipatat) his
bolt in the vitals of that enemy.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH AEHYXyA. 205
8. SuPARNA, rushing swift as thought, passed
through the iron city ; then having gone to heaven
he brought the Soma to the thunderer.^
9* The thunderbolt lies in the midst of the sea,
covered with the wg-ters ; (the foes) flying in front
of the battle bring offerings of submission to it.
10. When Yach, the queen; the gladdener of the
gods, sits down (in the sacrifice) uttering things not
to be understood, she milks water and food for the
four quarters (of the earth) ; whither now is her
best portion gone ? ^
11. ^The gods produced the goddess Yach; her
^ This alludes to the legend of the Gajatri as a bird fetching
the Soma from heaven. Sayaiia explains dyasm **iron’’ as
Jiiranmayim golden,” in allusion no doubt to the other legend
which represents the cities of the demons as made of iron on the
earth, silver in the firmament, and gold in heaven (Ait. Brahm.
i, 23).
* Sayana quotes the Hirukta xi. 28, and explains Vdek hero
as the thunder (cf. viii. 69. 14) ; by the “ best portion ” ho
understands the rain, which sinks in the earth or is taken up
by the sun’s rays.” The verse appears to mean the same as
Tennyson’s lines in the ** Talking Oak” :
Low thunders bring the mellow rain
Which makes me broad and deep.”
The sacrifice brings rain ushered in by thunder ; and then it is
asked ‘‘ whither is the thunder gone now that it has passed ? ”
* Sayana adds to explain this verse, ‘‘the thunder entering
into all beings, becomes the speaker of moral truth,” ealid
mddhyamiJed vdh sarmprdnyantargatd dharmdhhhddini hhatalL
Varga VI.
206 Eia-YEDA SANHITi.
do animals of every kind^ utter; may she, Yicn,
the all-gladdening cow, yielding meat and drink,
come to ’us, worthily praised.
12. 0 Ykhstu my friend, stride forth lustily ; 0 •
heaven, give room to contain the thunderbolt ; ® let
us smite Yretea, let ua open the rivers ; let them
flow, set free, at the command of Indea.
StkiA VIII. (01.)
The deities of the first fotir verses and part of the fifth are Mimi
and Yaetoa ; of the rest of the fifth and the sixth the Adityas,
of the seventh and eighth the Aswurs, of the ninth and tenth
VXxtr, of the eleventh and twelfth Si^nYA, of the thirteenth
, TJshas or SdhTAPKABHX, of the fourteenth PavamXna (YIyit),
of the fifteenth and sixteenth the Cow. The J^uU is Jamad-
Aom of the family of Bsmotr : the metre of the first, second,
fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and
twelfth verses is Frdgdtha^ of the third Gdyatrii of the
fourth Satohrihati ; of the thirteenth Brihati ; of the four-
teenth, fifteenth and sixteenth TrishtuhK
1. That man verily consecrates the oblation for
' SXyana adds whether their utterance he articulate or in-
articulate.’’
* Sayapa here (juotes the following passage from the Brihad-
devata. ^‘Yritra had enveloped the three worlds and stood
there in his fierce energy ; Indra could not conquer him, and he
went to Yishnu and said, ‘I will smite Yritra, do thou stride
forth and stand by ray side, and let the heavens give room for
my uplifted thunderbolt.’ Yishnu consented and did so, and the
heavens gave an open space. Ail this is related in this verse.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHTATA, .207
the sacrifi'oe, vho brings quickly Mitra and Yaeitna
to the offerer for the attainment of his desires.^
2. Those two leaders of rites, great in might, far-
seeing, resplendent, and most far-hearing, perform
their deeds, like two .arms,® by the help of the rays
of the sun.
3. Mitea and Yaruna, he who hastens to appear
before you, becomes the messenger of the godsi^X he
wears an iron® helmet, he exults in his wealthy
4. He who has no pleasure in questioning, n\r in
repeated calling nor in dialogue, — defend us to-day
from him and from his encounter, defend us from
his arms.
6. *0 thou rich in offerings, sing to Mitra, sing
to Artaman, a reverential hymn produced in. the
sacrificial chamber ; ® sing a propitiating address to
Yarijna ; sing a hymn of praise to the kings.®
' Yajar Veda, 83, 87. Mahldhara differs from Sayana in his
explanation, and gives it thus : “ Verily that man who worships
Mitra and Varunia for the attainment of his desires and the giving i-
of oblations, becomes thereby perfectly tranquil and able to
f erform the sacrifice ” {ridMg devatdlaye).
“ Sayana adds, as an explanation, “that i?, they obtain the
sacrifice as the arms accomplish an object.”
’ Sdyana says “ golden,” as often elsewhere {ayas-sirshd).
*• Saina Veda, I. 3. 2. 2. 3, with variithye for mriithyam.
‘ Sayana explains va/Hdhyam as yajnagrihe lhavam ; the St.
Petersb. Diet, gives it as “ Schutz gewahrend.”
' Sc. Mitra, Aryaman and Varuna.
208
Era-VEDA SANHUl.
Targa Tii. 6. It was these who seat the red viotory-gmng ^
VasUf^ the one son of the three (worlds) ; they, the
invincible, the immortal, overlook the abodes of
men.
7. 0 associated Nasatvas, come both of you to
my uplifted glorious praises and my rites, come to
partake of my offeriugs.
8. Deities rich in food, when we solicit your
bounty, that (wealth) which demons cannot thwart,
— then, helping* our praise directed to the east,
come, leaders of rites, worshipped by Jamadagei.
9. Come, VlYtr, to our heaven-reaching sacrifice
with its beautiful hymns of praise ; this bright Soma
has been kept for thee, poured out upon the middle
of the straining cloth.*
10. The ministrant priest comes* by the straightest
paths, he brings the oblations for thy enjoyment;
* Elsewhere S4yana explains jent/a when connected with vasu
asjetavi^a, ^^what is to be conquered or won,’* cf. ii. 5. 1, vii.
74. 3 ; here he takes it actively as jayasddhamm. The St.
Petersb. Biot, explains it as “edel von Abkuhft,
acht, wahr.”
* Sayana by bis explanation vdsakam seems here to take Vam
as for Vasum, sc. the Sun, as one of the Yasus, as he adds ‘‘ they
send him for the dispelling of the darkness of the three worlds.”
But it would be more natural to take it in its ordinary meaning
‘wealth,* i.e. gold. “It was these who sent the red gold
victory-giving,” or “ the reward of victory.”
® Perhaps rather “inspiring,” cf. iv. 6. 1.
* Yajnr Yeda, 33, 85.
® Le. from the hmirdhdnay a cart for the Soma.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHVITA. 209
then, lord of the Niynt steeds, drink of both kinds,
the Boma pure and that mixed with milk.
11. Yerily thou art great, 0 Sun ; verily, Aditva,
thou art great ; the greatness of thee, the great one,
is praised ; verily thou art great, 0 god.*
12. ^Verily, 0 Sun, thou art great in fame ; 0
god, thou art indeed mighty among the gods in
might ; thou art the slayer of the Amras^ and the
preceptor (of the gods); thy glory is widespread
and to be marred by none.
13. She who was created beautiful and bright,
bending downwards and receiving all praise, has
been seen within (the world), like a brindled cow,
advancing to the ten regions (spread out) like arms.
14. “Three kinds of creatures went to destruction;
^ Sdma Veda, I. 3. 2. 4. 4; II. 9. 1. 9. 1. with
maJmnd iovpanasyate aMha. Tajur Veda, 33. 39.
° Sama Veda, II. 9. 1. 9. 2. Tajur Veda, 33. 40.
® Sayana explains asuryah hy asurdndm Aantd; Mahidham
takes it “ beneficent to living beings.” The true meaning is no
doubt that given in the St. Petersb. Diet. “ unkorperlich, geist-
lich, gottlich.”
* This is explained to be Tishas, the dawn, or the light of the
Sun.
‘ This very obscure verse is explained in the $atapatha Brah-
mana, ii. 5. 1, which gives a legend to the effect that Prajapati
desired to create, arid after intense meditation produced in suc-
cession three kinds of creatures — birds, small snakes (jariiripa),
and serpents ; but they all died. He then reflected on the cause
of the failure ; and, perceiving it to be the want of nourishment,
he caused milk to be produced in his own breasts. After this ho
VOL. V. P
Varga VIII
210
RIG-TEDA ^NHITI.
Varga IX.
the otners came before Agni; the mighty one' (the
Sun) stood within the worlds ; .(Vi.-nr), the purifier,
entered the quarters of the sky.
15. (She who is) the mother ot the Etoeas, the
daughter of the Yastjs, the sister of the Adittas,
the home of ambrosia, — I have spoken to men of
understanding, — kill not Aer, the sinless inviolate
cow.
16. The divine cow, who herself utters speech and
gives speech to others,® who comes attended by every
kind of utterance, who helps me for my worship of
the gods, — ^it is only the fool who abandons her.
SteA IX. (CII.)
The deity is Agni ; the metre is Gdyatri ; the is Peatoga
of the family of BH:^iGxr or Agni BIehaspatya or PXtaea, or
one or both of . two Agnis, the sons of Sahas,, called
Geihapati and Yat£sh:|:ha.
1. Divine Agni, the ever young, the wise, the
protector of the household, it is thou who givest
abundant food to the worshipper.
2. Eesplendent dn^ do thou, the all-knower,
bring the gods hitherN^th this our reverential
hymn of praise.
created a fourth kind which were thus fed and lived. The
* others ’ are those which thhs^surviyed.
^ * The mighty one * is explained as the Sun. Sayana, ‘how-
ever, adds that others (as, e.g. the Satapatha Brdhmapa) take it
as Prajapati.
* S^yaiaa adds that men are silent while they are hungry, but
begin to speak when they have eaten food.
SIXTH. ASHTAKA—SEVENIH ADHTIYA. 211
3. 0 ever youthful one, with thee as our ally, the
sender of Wealth, we overcome (our enemies) for
the attainment of food.
4. *Like Atjeva Bhriou® and like APNAVilNA,*
I invoke the pure Agni, dwelling in the midst of
the sea.*
6. I invoke Agni dwelling In the midst of the
sea, the wise one, roaring like the wind, mighty,
with a voice like Parjanta’s.
6. I invoke Agni dwelling in the midst of the Varga x.
sea, like the energy® of Saveem, like the enjoyments
granted by Bhaga.®
7. '^(Draw) near to Agni the strong, the mightiest,
^ Sama Yeda, I. 1. 1. 2. 8.
* For the legend of Aurva, the descendant of Bh|rigu (he is
sometimes called the son, sometimes the grandson, and sometimes
only the descendant), see Muir’s Sanshrit Texts^ i, 447, 476.
He became the submarine hre. Benfey takes Aurvahhrigu as a
dwandwa compound, “ Eke Aurva and Bhyigu.^’
• YTe have Apnavdna mentioned as one of the Bhfigus in iv*
^ Sayana explains samuiravdiOBam by mmudramadhyavartimm.
It should.properly mean “ clothed or hidden by the sea,’’
^ Sdyapa only exjilains navam by preralcmya devasya
pramvam^ but cf. viu. 100. 12.
® Sayapa only explains Bhayasyeva Ikujim, by BhagdhhyaBya
dffoaBya hhogam iva. The St. Petersburg Diet, explains Ihuji
“Gewahrung von Genuas, Gunst,” — i.e. ‘‘like the favour of
Bhaga.”
^ Sama Yeda. I. 1. 1. 3. 1 ; 11. 3. 1, 20. 1,
212
RIQ-VEDA SANHITi.
Var^a XI.
\
him who expands (with his flames), the grandson of
the invincible ones.^
8. (Draw near) that he may deal with us as a
carp'eiiter deals with the timber he has to out ; may
we become renowned by his skill.®
9. Among the gods Agni has to do with all the
successes (of men) ; may he come to us with abun-
dance of food.®
10. Praise at our rite Agni, the most glorious of
all ministrant priests, the foremost in the sacrifices.
11. (Praise him) the dweller in the sacrifice, of
purifying radiance, who shines, the chief of the
gods and omniscient, in the houses (of the sacrificers).
12. O priest, glorify him, who is welcome and
strong as a horse, and who like a friend conquers
all our foGS.'^
13. '’The sister praises of the worshipper rise to
thee, proclaiming thy glories ; they stand kindling
thee in tlic presence of Vdtju.''
* Siiynna tiikca adhtcartimUii as ahimnyatuhn halindm. Benfey’s
transl. is far bettor, “ Eurem Agni, dem Segnenden, ihm dem
Opfervevselicndston, dcra starkcroicben Enbel 2 u” (rufen wiran.)
’ Santa Yeda, II. 3. 1. 20. 2.
’ Sitina Ycda, II. 3. 1. 20. 3.
. * Tito St. Petersburg Diet, explains yutayajjanmi “ die
I.i'Utc vereinigond.”
‘ Siirna Yeda, I. 1. 1. 2. 3; II. 7. 2. 14. 1.
* Silyana cxpliiius anilce as samlpe ticdiii samedhayyntya».
Benfey takes vdyor anike “im AYimlesstrom.”
SIXTH ASHTAKX — SETBNTH ADHTIYA. 213
14. ^The waters find their place in him,® for
whom the triple-jointed grass is spread unlimited
and untied® (in the sacrifice).
15. * Auspicious is the place of the god who pours
forth all desires with his inviolable protections;
auspicious is his appearance like the Sun’s.
16. Divine Agni, blazing with radiance, through v»rga xii.
our oblations of ghU bear (our sacrifice) to the gods
and offer it.
17. The gods, as mothers, have home thee Axgi-
EAS, the seer, the immortal, the bearer of the oblation.
18. The gods seat thee in thy place,® 0 wise Agni,
the seer, the messenger, the most excellent, the
bearer of the oblation.
19. No cow is mine, and no axe is at hand to
•cleave wood, but yet I bring both these to thee.
20. ®Most youthful (Agni), when we offer any
kinds of timber to thee, do thou accept them all.’
« Sama Veda, II. 7. 2. 14. 2.
• The waters rest in Agni, who abides as lightning in the
firmament-
® Saya^a does not explain tridlidtn^ but in the Sama Veda he
explains it by trijparvan. He adds that the sacred grass is not
tied in bundles in the sacrifice.
* Sama Veda, II. 7. 2. 14. 3. * !For ni shedire cf, iv. 7. 5.
® This is ])artly found in Yajur Veda, 11, 73.
’ Sayana here quotes a passage from the Taittirfya Samh. v.
1. 10, to the effect that in ancient times they only offered to
Agni wood cut with the axe, until the yishi Prayoga by this
Terse caused him to accept wood blown down by the wind or by
other accidents.
214 EIG-VEDA SANHITX.
■21. Whatever timber the ant has gnawed, what-
ever the emmet has infested, — may it all be welcome
to thee as glii}
22. Let a man, when he kindles Agni, perform
the ceretaiony with a (devout) mind ; he kindles
him with the priests.®
StJKIA X. (CIII.)
The deity is Agni, who is associated with the IIaetixs in the last
verse; the RiaJii is Sobhaei of the family of Xanwa; the
metre of the first four verses and the sixth is Bfihati, of the
fifth Virddriipd, of the seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thir-
teenth satohrihati, of the eighth and twelfth kahuhh, of the
tenth Iirasiyasi, of the fourteenth anushfulh.
Varga xiii, 1. in whom they offer the sacrificesj Has ap-
peared, — he who knows all ways ; onr praises rise to
Aeisri, auspiciously born, the helper of the Arya}
2. ®Agni, when invoked by Divodasa, ran along
the mother Earth as with might, towards the gods ;
he took his place in the height of heaven.®
\ YajurYeda, 11, 74.
* Sanfa Veda, I. 1. 1. 2. 9, with mdhe for UTu.
® Sama Veda, I. 1. 1. 5. 3; IL 7. 1. 11. 1, with Mhhantu
for nahahanta,
* Arya here seems to mean the member of the Aryon race as
opposed to the non-Xryan. Sayana explains it by uUamavarjiia,
a man of the highest caste.
* Sama Veda, I. 1. 1. 5. 7 ; II. *7. 1. 11. 3, with deva
Indrah for devdn achchhdf and sarmmi for sdnavL
® This is an obscure verse, and Sayana does not explain it
at all clearly. The Sama Veda text tahes na not as a negative,
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHYXtA, 215
3. Siuce men tremble before those who perform
the sacred sacrifices, therefore do ye devoutly
worship in the solemn rite Aoxi the bestower of
thousands of kine.*
4. *Agni, bestower of dwellings, that mortal
whom thou wishest to lead to wealth, and who
gives offerings to thee, possesses of himself a strong
son, a reciter of hymns and a lord of great wealth.*
5. Lord of vast wealth, he (thy worshipper) spoils
with his steed food laid up even in strongholds,
he possesses imperishable wealth; in thee divine
we ever possess all desirable treasures.
6. To him the invoker of the gods, who ever varga xiv.
rejoicing distributes all wealth to men, — to Agni
proceed our praises like the principal cups of the
exhilarating Soma*
7. ®The libei’al worshippers with their hymns
honour thee harnessed to the car like a horse ; *
but as ‘like,’ deva Indro m, Sayana here le&veB pravivdvrite
unexplained ; the Comm, on * the S. V. explains it anyariipam
harotu I hare followed the translation suggested by the St.
Petersb. Piet.
‘ Sama Yeda, II 7. 1. 11. 2.
® Sama Yeda, I. 1.2. 1. 4, with yah for yam,
* Sahasraposhinmn explained as hahudhanamj but literally
meaning ‘ nourisher of thousands.’
* Sama Yeda, L 1. 1. 4. 10 ; 11. 7. 3. 5. 1.
* Sama Yeda, II. 7. 3. 5. 2.
* This alludes to the common idea, that the chariots of the
gods are yoked by the praises of their worshippers.
216
RIG-VEDA SANHITX.
graceful lord of men, grant wealth to us rich in
children and grandchildren.^
8. Singerg of hymns, sing aloud to the mighty
Agni, most bounteous, observant of truth and radiant
with brightness ^
9. The wealthy and glorious (Agni), when in-
voked and kindled, pours forth on his votaries abund-
ance of food with children ; may his ever fresh
favour continually come to us with all kinds of food.*
10. Praise, singer of hymns,^ the guest, Agni,
the dearest of the dear, the driver of chariots.
Varga xw n. (Praise him) the knower, worthy of the
sacrifice, who brings to us treasures which have
come up (from the depths) and are far-renowned,® —
whose (flames), as he hastens to wage the battle by
means of our sacred rite,® are hard to be passed
through as waves rushing down a declivity.
12. 'May none hinder Agni from coming to us,
* So Sajana ; but the Pacia text takes ullie and toke as diial,
see Benfcy’s note.
* Sama Yeda, I. 2. 1. 2. 1 ; IL 2. 2. 17. 1.
® Sama Veda, II. 2. 2. 17. 2, with hhmiijmi for navtyasL
* Saya^a explains didva as stotri ; the St. Petersh. Diet, takes
it as * Somatrankbereiter.’
® Sayana explains niditd by smtdnL The St. Petersb. Diet,
gives it as verwahrt, versteckt.^’
* Dhiyd is explained by karmand. The offering is supposed
. to give tlie god strength for the battle.
’ Sama Veda, I. 2. 1. 2. 4, reading hrinithd atithim for
hriniidm atUhih.
SIXTH i-SHTAK-i. — SEVENTH ADHYXyA. 217
our guest, the giver of dwellings, praised by many,
— (Agni) who is the excellent invoker of the gods,
who offers an excellent sacrifice.
13. Agni, giver of dwellings, let not those come
to harm, who approach thee in whatsoever nianner
with hymns of praise ; the worshipper who offers
his libation and duly performs- the rite praises thee
that thou mayst be the bearer of the sacrifice.
14. Agni, who hast the Maruts as thy friends,come
with the Eudras to drink the Soma ; come to the
praises of Sobhaei ; delight thyself at our solemn
rite.
MA17DALA IX.
ANUVA'KA I.
ASH'TAKA VI. Continued.
ADHYA'YA VII. Continued.
SiIktjl I. (I.)
The RUM is Maduchchhandas, of the family of ViSTTiMiTKA,
the deity, as of the entire ninth Mandala (except hymn 5 and
part of hymns 66 and 67) is Soma PavamIna; the metre is
Odyatr'i.
1. Flow, Soma, in a most sweet and exhilarating Varga xvi.
stream, effused for Indra to drink.*
' Sama Veda, 1. 5. 2. 4. 2; II. 1. 1. 15. 1. Yajur Veda,
XXVI. 25.
218 ' Rie-VEDA aANHITl.
2. ^The all-teholding destroyer of Ra^sJiasas has
stepped upon his gold-smitten birthplace,® united
with the wooden cask.
3. Be the lavish giver of wealth, most bounteous,
the destroyer of enemies ; bestow oh us the riches
of the affluent.^
4. Come with food to me sacrifice of the mighty
gods, and bring to us strength and sustenance.
5. To thee we come, 0 dropping (Soma); for thee
only is this our worship day by day, our prayers
are to thee, none other.
Varga xvir. 6. The daughter of the Sun purifies thy gush-*
ing streams through the eternal outstretched
hair.^
^ Sanaa Yeda, 11. 1^^ 15. 2. Yajur Yeda, X^YI. 26, with
ayohaU drone for ayohaiam drund.
* Sayana explains 'drmd ^ as a wooden cask {dronakalaia)^ or
the planks of the and ayohaiam as “smitten with
gold.^’ The word occurs IX. 80. 2, and is there explained as
“fashioned by a golden hand.” Stevenson gives “beat by the
fingers with gold rings,” adding as a note, “ the Brahmans who
perform these ceremonies must all wear a kind of flattened gold
ring.” Mahldhara takes it as “ fabricated by a carpenter with
an iron tool.” Sayana quotes a Brahmana, hiranyapdnir alMshu^
noti, “ golden-handed he presses out the soma.”
® Sama Yeda, II, 1. 1, 15. 3.
* The daughter of the Sun is explained as iraddhd,^ “faith,”
according to the text of the Ydja-saneyins, “ Yerily 4raddha is
the daughter of the Sun, she purifies him.” The hair is the
hair-sieve used for straining' the juice.
SIXTH ASHIAKA— SEVENTH ADHTIYA, 219
7. The ten sister-fingers seize thee in the saonfioe,
on the final, day (of the oblation} *
8. The fingers press the Soma, they squeeze it
glittering like a ■water-skin ; its juice becomes three-
fold,® enemy-averting.
^9. The inviolable kin^ mingle this fresh Soma
'with their milk for Indea to drink.
10. In the exhilaration of this draught the hero
Indea smites all his enemies and bestows wealth
(on his w'orshippers)
S<Jkta II. (II.)
The is MedhItithi of the ^family of KA:]fWA ; the deity
and metre as before.
1. Flow on, Soma, seeking the gods, hastening varga xvii:
on in thy purifying course ; enter Indea, 0 Jndu,
the showerer ®
2. 0 InJu, do thou, the mighty showerer (of
blessings), most glorious upholder, send us food,
and sit down in thine own place.*
3. The stream of the effused creative Soma milks
^ Fdrye dm m explained by Sayana as saut^e ^hani, on the
day of the Soma effusion’’; but in YI. 26. 1. he explains pdri/e
ahan as ** in the final day,” or the time of extremity.”
* Literally in three places,” sc. as filling the three vessels,
the d/ronakalasa^ the ddhavantya^ and the putahhrit.
® Sama Yeda, TI. 4. 1. 3. 1.
^ Sama Yeda, IL 4. 1. 3. 2.
220
MG-YEDA SANEITi.
out the joy-giving ambrosia ; the accomplisher of
holy rites veils itself in the waters.^
4. {Soma), when thou wilt veil thyself in the
milk, the mighty streaming waters flow to thee,
the mighty one.^
5. The juice-distilling Soma, the sustainer, the
supporter of heaven, is purified in the water, —
favouring us, (it is poured) into the straining
cloth.®
Varga XIX. B. ^The mighty golden-hued showerer of bless-
ings utters a sound as it drops, beautiful as a
Mend®; it shines (in the heavens) with the sun.
7. 0 Indu, by thy power the busy voices are
hallowed which adorn thee as thou droppest for
our exhilaration.®
8. We ask thee for exhilaration, thee the giver
of the highest world to thy foe- crushing worshipper,
— great are thy praises.^
^ Satna Yeda, II. 4. 1.3. 3. Sayana explains tlie last clause
as referring to the Vasativari water with which the JSoma plants
are sprinkled.
» Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 3. 4.
3 Sama Yeda, 11. 4. 1. 3. 5.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1, 2. 1 ; II. 4. 1. 3. 6, reading did^ute for
rocJtafe,
® Mitro no, which Sayana explains as pithd sahhd, Benfey
takes it wie Mitra wunderbar, glanzend.**
.® Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 3. 7, but with Inim for
’ Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 3. 8, but with ^prasastaye make for
prasmtayo mahih.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHYITA. 221
9. Indh, do thou, longing for Indea, stream upon
as with a shower of ambrosia, like a raining cloud.^
10. Indtt, thou art the giver of kine, of children,
of horses, and of food ; thou art the primeval soul
of the sacrifice.^
SdKTi III. (III.)
The RisM is S'uu'ahsepa, the son of Ajigarta; the deity and
metre as before.
1. This divine immortal (Soma) hastens as a bird Varga xx.
to settle on the sacrificial vessels.®
2. This divine [Soma\ expressed by the fingers,
and dropping inviolable, rushes against the enemies.^ -
3. This divine {Soma), as it drops, is adorned
(with hymns) by the sacrifice-desiring priests as
a horse for battle.®
4. This strong one, as it drops, seems to encom-
pass all desirable things with its power and seeks
to bestow them upon us.®
5. This divine (Soma), as it drops, prepares its
chariot (to come to us) ; it fiings us our boons, it
utters a sound.'
* Sama Veda, II. 4. 1. 3. 10, but with indriyam for indrayuh,
which the Schol. explains as “enjoj'ed by Iiidra.”
® Sama Veda, 11. 4. 1. 3. 9.
’ Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 1. The dronas are the large troughs
called Bronakalaia.
‘ Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 6. Benfey takes aii Tiio&rann
dhdvati as “ hastens down the declivities.”
* Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 6.
* Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 3.
’ Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. z. 4.
222
BIG-TEDA. SABHITi.
Yarga XXI.
Yarga XXIL
6. This divine {Soma), praised by the priests and
giving wealth to the worshipper, plunges into the
waters.'
7. Making a sound as it drops in a continued
stream, it rushes across the worlds into heaven.^
8. As it drops, completing the sacrifice, it passes
across the worlds inviolable to heaven.®
9. Divine and expressed for the gods by an
ancient birth, the golden-hued {Soma) flows into
the straining-cloth.^
10. Produced at our rite and producing abundant
food, the Soma, efficacious in sacrifices, flows effused
in a stream.®
Si5KTi. IV. (TV.)
The JRnhi is HiEAKYAsxtjPA of the family of Ai^gieas ; the deity
and metre are the same.
1. ®Pure-dropping {Soma), bounteous food, wel-
come (the gods at our rite) and overcome (the
demons) ; and make us happy.
2. ’’Soma, give us brightness, give us heaven, give
us all good things ; and make us happy.
‘ SAma Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 2. The waters are those calleu
Vaaativm-yah, with which the Soma plants are sprinkled.
» Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 7.
• Sama Veda II. 5. 2. 2. 8, with astritah for a^rita^.
‘ Slima Veda, II. 1. 2. 17. 1 ; 5. 2. 2. 9.
' Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 2. 10.
» Sdma Veda, II. 4. 1. 4. 1.
’’ Sama Veda, II. 4. 1.4. 2.
SIXTH ASHTAXA — SEVENTH ADHYXyA. 223
3. ^Soma, give ns strength, give us ■wisdom, drive
away our enemies ; and make us happy.
4. ^Priests, press out the Soma for Indua to
drink ; (0 Soma)^ make us happy.
5. ®I)o thou, (0 Soma), by thy power and tliy
protections bring 'as to the sun, and make us happy.
6. ^By thy wisdom and thy protections may 'we
long behold the sun ; and do thou make us happy.
7. ®Bright-weaponed Soma, shower upon us wealth
abundant for both worlds ; and make us happy
8. thou who art un vanquished in battle, smiter
of enemies, shower wealth upon us, and make us
happy.
9. Pure-dropping (Soma), they glorify thee with
the holy rites for their own upholding;' make us
happy.
10. ^Indu, bring to us varied wealth, abundant
in horses and all-reaching; and make us happy.
^ Sama Yeda, IL 4. 1. 4. 3. * Sama Yecla, II. 4, 1, 4. 4.
® Sama Yecla, 11. 4, 1. 4. 5. * Sama Yecla, IL 4. 1. 4. 6.
^ Sama Yecla, II. 4. 1. 4. 7. Sayana explains dwiharhasam
as dwayor dydvdpriilikyok sihdnayoh parivr^dham. It rather
means “ d^nble,’^ abuudant.”
® Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 4. 8, with vdjin for raym.
^ Sama Yeda, 4. 1. 4. 9. Bdyana here explains vidharmani
by dtmavidkdrandrtham i but in his Comm, on the Sama Yeda
he explains it as yajne — they glorify thee with the hymns in
the sacrifice.**
®‘-Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 4 10.
224
RIG-VEDA SANHITX.
Varga XXIY.
StJKTA V. (V.)
The deities in this hymn are the Avms other than NABisANSA ; *
the Sishi is Asha or Devaba of the family of Kasyapa ; the
metre is Gayatri, except in the last four verses, where it is
Anu&htuhh.
1. The pure-flowing {Soma) shines forth in its
brightness, the universal lord, — the showerer of
blessings, the rejoicer, uttering a loud sound.®
2. The pure-flowing TanAnapat,® rushes sharpen-
ing its splendour on the height and hastens through
the slty.^
3. The pure-flowing bright ((Sbwa), the bounteous
giver, worthy of all praise, shines forth in its might
Avith the streams of water.
4. The bright golden-hucd pure-flowing one
rushes in- its might, strewing the sacred grass in
the sacrifice with its points towards the east.
5. The bright golden doors, praised by the priests
together with the Soma^ rise up from the vast
horizon.
’ Cf. Miillor’s Ancient Sundrif Lderafiire, pp. 463-4G6.
® TliO diiities, Samidh, etc., arc severally invoked in the
successive verses, Stlyaiia says Soma is praised in the form of the
A'pris, and ho explains samiddhah as samijagdiptah.
^ fiayana explains Tanhnnpdt as a name of Sotmty according
to the text, adhhyo ^isavo jdyante^ tatah mno jaijatey from the
waters arc born beams, from these is born SomaA
^ according to Sayana, to the dronalcalamy according to
the text “he takes the Agrayam libtdioii with two streams.’^
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH ADHTIYA, 225
6. The pure-floivuig (Soma) longs for the fair- Varga xx^
formed wide-reaching mighty Night and Dawn
not yet visible.
7. I invoke the Iwo divine priests, the two
deities who behold men — the pure-flowing (Soma)
is radiant ^ and the showerer (of benefits).
8. May the three beautiful goddesses, BnAEATf,
Saeaswat/, and mighty Ila, come to this our offer-
ing of the Soma.
9. I invoke Twashtei, the first-born, the pro-
tector, the leader ; the golden-coloured pure-flowing
IxDTJ is Indea, the showerer, the lord of all creatures.
10. Pure Soma, consecrate with thy streaming
ambrosia the green bright golden-hued Vaxaspati
with its thousand branches.
11. 0 all ye gods, come together to the con-
secration of the Soma, — Vayu, Vhihaspati, SOrya,
Agni, and Indea.
StfKiA TI. (Yi.)
The JRuM is the same ; the deity is Soma PatamXka ; the metre
is Gdyatri.
1. ^Soma^ who art the showerer (of benefits), de-
voted to the gods, favourable to ns, flow with thy
exhilarating stream into the woollen sieve.
^ So Say ana, but most probably this is an identification of
8oma Favamdm with Indr a, just as in the next verse Indu
(i.e. Soma) is identified with Indra.
* Sam a Veda, I. 6. L 2. 10, with avyd vdrelliiL
VOL. V.
U
226
KIG-VEDA. SAinilTA.
2. iNDtT, do thou, as sovereign,^ etfiise that ex-
hilavfiting juice, and pour forth vigorous steeds.
3. Eaiu out through the filter, -while pressed,
that ancient exhilarating fluid, and pour us forth
strength and food,
4. The quickly-falling drops, as they filter, follow
Indea and reach him, like waters rushing do-wn
a declivity.
5. That which sporting in the wood and spurting
beyond the sieve, the ten sisters ^ press, as (men
rub down) a strong horse, —
6. That desire-showering liquor, effused for the
drink of the gods and for our exhilaration, — mix
with milk for prowess in battle.
7. The divine Soma, when effused, flows to the
divine Txdra in a stream, since its milk fattens® him.
8. The soul of the sacrifice, the effused So77ia,
flows with speed bringing blessings, and maintains
his ancient seor-hood.
9. Most exciting {Soma), devoted to Indra, as
thou pourest forth the exhilarating juice for his
drinking, thou omittest sounds ‘ in the secret (hall
of sacrifice).
' Literally “as Indra,*’ i.e. acting as sovereign.
^ The ten lingers, as in IX. 1. 7.
* Sdyana derives the reduplicated form pjpayat from the causal
of but the St. Peteisb. Diet, derives it from “its
milk s wells.*'
* This refers to the uparavas or round “ sounding-holes,**^which
arc dug in the ground, and over which the two boards, used for
SIXTH ASHTAXA — SE'vEHTH ADHTIyA. 227
StTKTA VII. (VII.)
The Rishi, deity, and metre as before.
1. ^Tlie excellent streams (of the Soma), feeling ;xxvfii
a union with Ihdea/ "flow forth in the ceremony
by the path of sacrifice.
2. That which is to be praised as the oblation
among oblations is immersed in the great (holy)
waters,® the stream of honey, the pre-eminent.^
3. The pre-eminent (Soma), the showerer of
benefits, the truthful, the indestructible, utters
continuous sounds, in the water, towards the
sacrificial hall.
4. When the seer (Soma), wearing ample trea-
sures, goes round the praises (of his worshippers),
then the mighty (Indea) in heaven is eager to
repair to the oblation.
5. When the priests excite it, the flowing Soma
like a king destroys opposing (demons and) men.
pi^essing tbe Soma, are placed. These holes are said to deepen
the sound of tbe stones with which the boards and Soma-shoots
are beaten. See Zatyayana's Sutras, VIIT. 4. 28. Guhd chid,
dadhishe girah might meau thou storest praises in secret.”
I Xhe whole of this hymn is found in Bama Yeda, II. 4. 2. 2.
1-9, but with many verbal alterations,
^ Literally with him,” aaga^ the ScfioL. supplies Indrasya,.
® i.e. the vasativan water, cf. Haug’s Aitareya Brdhnana,
transl. pp. 115,489.
^ Sayana takes pm dhdrd (sic in pada) agriyah as dhdrd
mulchydh prapatanti the pre-eminent streams fall down.” JDJidrd
and agriyah however must be nominatives singular.
RIG-TEDA SARHITI.
Ii28
Targa XXIX. 6. The greea-tinted (Soma)^ dear to the gods,
commingled "with the water, sits down upon the
woollen sieve; uttering a sound it is greeted hy
praise.
7. He who is - assiduous in the functions of
(providing and preparing) the Soma, goes with
exhilaration to Vatu, Indra, and the Aswins.
8. The streams of the sweet Soma flow to Mitra
and Vaeuna and to Braga ; the worshippers know-
ing its (virtues are rewarded) with happiness.
9. Heaven and earth, for the acquisition of this
exhilarating Soma food, win for us wealth, food, and
treasures.
StfsTA Till. (YIII.)
The jRisMy deity, and metre as before.
Varga XXX. 1. ^ These Soma juices distil the dear desire of
Indra, increasing his vigour.
2. Pure-flowing, filling the ladles, and proceeding
to Vatu and the Aswins, may they sustain our
energy.
3 Soma, pure-flowing, desired for the gratifica-
tion of Indra, do thou impel him to sit in the
place of sacrifice.^
' The whole of. this hymn is found in the Sama Teda, II. 5.
1 . 2. 1-9, but with vv. 8, 9, transposed.
* Sdyana explains hdrdi as abhilasMta^, but this is clearly
wrong, as he explained it hy "hridayam in VIII. 79. 8. It
should rather be “ Soma, pure flowing for Indra’s gratification,
do thou stir his heart to sit in the place of sacrifice.”
SIXTH ASHT.VKA — SEVEXTH ADIITiXA. 229
4. The ten fingers strain thee, the seven priests ^
caress thee, the worshippers gladden thee.®
5. As thou streamest on the water® and the
woollen sieve, we wrap thee up with milk for the
exhilaration of the gods.
6. Purified in the pitchers, radiant, and green-
tinted, the Soma puts on the raiment derived from
the cow.
7. Plow to us, thy wealthy (worshippers); de-
stroy all our enemies ; Indtj, enter thy friend.^
8. Pour down rain from heaven, and abundance
upon the earth ; uphold our strength. Soma, in
battles.
9. (Adoring) thee, the contemplator of men, the
beverage of Indka and the knower of all things,®
may we be blessed with progeny and food.
S^KTA IX. (IX.)
The EisM, deity, and metre as before.
1. ^TliG seer [Soma) haying wise designs, when
^ So Sayana, but rather ^Hhe worshippers follow thee exulting/^
* So Sdyana explains sapta dhitaijah (cf. IX. 9. 4.) ; but in
IX. 62. 17, he takes it as meaning the seven metres.’’ The
St. Petersb. Diet, explains it as die vielen Andachtsiibungen
Oder Gebetsformen beim Soma-Werk.”
^ Sayana takes ham as meaning ** water,” but it is no doubt
an adverb here, surely,” with a very weakened lorce.
^ Le, Indra, according to Sayana.
® Or the knower of heaven.”
« Sama Veda, I. 5. 2. 4. 10; II. 3. 1. 16. 1, with swa^iaih
for suvdnah.
Varga XXXI,
Yarga
XXXII.
230
KIG-VBDA SANHlTi.
placed between the two boards’ and effused, pro-
ceeds to the stones ^ which are most dear to heaven.
2. ®Go forth in a most abundant stream, ample
for his sustenance, to the guileless man, thine owner,
who praises thee.
3. *That mighty and pure son, when born, illu-
mines his .mighty parents (heaven and earth), the
progcTOtors (of all things), the augmenters of the
sacrifice.®
4. Effused by the fingers, (Soma) gladdens the
seven guileless rivers, who have magniified him one
and undecaying.
5. Indea, at thy worship, they (the fingers) have
provided the present, indestructible, and ever-
youthful Indu for thy solemn service.
' Literally “ bet-vreen the two grand-daughters,” mjptjfoh.
Terms of relationship are often used in»the Veda to express
material objects, thus “ the sisters ” are the fliigers, etc. Sayana
interprets the term of the t-wo boards used in pressing the Soma ;
but the St. Petersb. Diet, explains it much more plausibly as
“ the two hands.”
“ This is a very doubtful meaning of vmjdmi. The line prob-
ably should be rendered, “ the seer is placed between the hands
as a most dear banquet to heaven; the knower of the past (or
the wise in sacrifice) goes forth effused.”
= Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 16. 3. ^ Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 16. 2.
® So Sayapa, but it might be more literally translated, “tliat
pure son (the Soma) illumined his mothers, he the bom them too
born, he the great them the great, the augmenters of sacrifice.”
' Sayana here separates sapta from dMiihhih and connects it
with nadyah, cf. IX. 8. 4.
SIXTH ASHTAXX — SEVENTH ADHYIyA. 231
6. The- immortal bearer (of the oblation), the
conveyer (of content to the gods), beholds the
seven rivers, — full as a -well, he has satisfied the
divine streams.
7. Protect us, manly Soma, in the days of sacri-
fice ; ^ purifier, destroy those powers of darkness
against which Ave must contend.
8. Quickly speed on the road for our new praise-
worthy hymn ; as of old display thy radiance.
9. Purifier {Soma), thou grantest us abundant
food with male offspring, and cattle and horses j
give us understanding, give us all (we desire).
SC-KTA X. (X.)
Riski^ deity, and metre as before..
1. ^Longing for food the AS'craa-juices, uttering a
sound like chariots or like horses, have come for
the sake of riches.^
2. Coming like chariots (to the sacrifice), they
are upheld in the arms (of the priests) as burdens
(in the arms) of labourers.
3. The libations are anointed vrith milk as kings
^ Say ana explains Icalpeslm as hfljianii/eshv-ahahsiCy “ in the
days which have to be reckoned.” The St. Petersb. Diet, takes
it as “ in our rites.”
* Sama Yeda, II. 4. 2. 1. 4-6.
^ Sayana takes sravasijavah as an epithet of Somdaak, desiring
to seize food from their enemies ; ” it should rather be taken
with arvantah^ and be translated ‘^or like glory-seeking steeds.”
232
KIG-YEDA SAXHITi.
with praises, and (tended) as a sacrifice by seven
priests.
4. ^The jS'ojMfl-juiees, when poured forth, are
effused with loud praise, and proceed in a stream to
excite exhilaration.
5. ^ The beverages of Vivaswat ® and producing
the glory of the dawn, the issuing juices spread
their sound.^
Varga XXXV. 6. The old makers of hymns, men the offerers of
the Soma, throw open the doors (of the sacrifice).®
7. The seven associated ministers like so many
kinsmen, filling the receptacle of the single (Soma),
sit down (at the sacrifice).
8. I take into my navel the navel of the sacrifice,®
' Sama Veda, I. 5. 2. 5. 9; 11. 4. 2. 1. 7.
* Sama Veda, II. 4. 2. L 8-12.
® Sayana takes Vivaswat as here meaning Indra. He also
explains dpdndsah as d^dnahliutdhf but it is rather the perfect
part, of dj?, and we should supply lhagam. I would translate
the verse, Having obtained the glory of Vivaswat, and pro-
ducing that of the dawn, the sun-bright juices distend the in-
terstices (of the cloth)J’
^ Sayana here explains anvam vitanvate hy iahdm hurvanU,
but elsewhere he explains anva as the small holes of the filtering
cloth.
* It seems better to take dwdrd with matkndm the ancient
poets {iroiTjrai') throw Open the doors of their hymns/’
® ^‘The navel of the sacrifice” is the JSoma, cf. IX. 73. 1 ;
and ‘'the offspring of the sage” is the graha or soma-vessel
called ansu. Ansu might mean “filament,” or perhaps it should
be read ansam, <?/. 12. 5.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEVENTH AHHYjCYA. 233
my eye becomes associated with the sun/ I fill the
offspring of the sage.
9. The powerful (Indea) looks with the eye pf
his own resplendent self on the acceptable place of
the Soma, fixed by the priests in the heart.®
StfxTA XI. (XI.)
Rishij deity, and metre before.
1. ’Sing, leaders of rites, to this pure-fiowing xxx^i.
Indu, who is desirous of offering worship to the
gods.
2. The Atharvans^ have mixed with sweet milk’
for the deity (Indea) thy divine and god devoted
(juice).
^ Sayar^a adds, Since we have drunk tbe Soma” but gives
no further explanation.
^ Sajana seems to interpret this verse as meaning that Indra
views the Soma with affection even after it has been drunk by
the priests. Divas cliahsliasd he explains as dlptasi/atmana^
cliahhushdi and guild as liridaye, — Benfcy translates it, “ The
Sun looks with his eye towards that beloved quarter of heaven,
placed by the priests in the sacred cell.” He here follows an
occasional interpretation of div or dyuloha^ given by the Scholiast,
which identifies it with the dronahalasa or large >S'(?;w«-trough.
He takes it as meaning that the Sun looks towards the place
where the Soma lies while it is pressed.
® Saraa Yeda, II. 1. 1. 1. 1-3. The first line is found in the
Yajur Yeda, 33. C2.
* i.e. the priests.
® Siiyana takes j)aijah as instrumental. It should bo ‘‘have
mixed milk with thy juice.”
234
IIIG-VEDA S-VXIIITi.
Varga
XXXYIL
Varga
XXXVIII.
3. Eadiant (Soma), do thou pour prosperity upon
our cattle, upon our people, upon our horses, and
upon our plants.
4. ^Eeeite praises to. the hrown-coloured self-
vigorous red ^ heaven-touching Soma.
5. Purify the So^ta. which has been effused by
the stones whirled Dy the hands; mix the sweet
(milk) in the inebriating juice.
6. Approach with reverence, mix (the libation)
with the curds, offer the Soma to Indea,
7. Soma, slayer of our enemies, the wise one,
the fulfiller of the desires of the gods, do thou
shed prosperity on our cattle.
8. Soma, who art cognizant of the mind, lord of
the mind, thou art poured forth for Indea to drink
for his exhilaration.
9. * Pure -dropping Soma, grant us wealth with
excellent male offspring, — grant it to us, Indu, with
Indea as our ally.
SteA XII. (XII.)
deity and metre as before.
1. ®The most sweet-flavotired ^Sbrnar-libations are
poured forth to Indea in the hall of sacrifice.
2. The wise (priests) call upon Indea to drink
the Soma as the mother kine low to their calves.
^ Sama Yeda, II. 6. 3. 3. 1-6.
* Sayana adds at times red.”
® Sdma Veda, II. 3. 1. 4. 1-9.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — SEYEXTH ADHYIyA. 230
3. The wise Somo., ihG bestower of exhilaration,
dwells irj. the hall (of sacrifice), mixed with the
waYes of the riYer ' to a chant in the middle tone.^
4. Soma the ohseryant, who is the wise seer, is
worshipped in the naYel of the sky,® the woollen
filter.
5. Indu has embraced that Soma'^ which is col-
lected in the ewers and has been passed through
the filter.
6. Indu emits a sound, abiding in the firmament
of the sky, and delighting the nectar-shedding
cloud.®
7. Soma^ whose praise is eternal, the lord of
forests, the shedder of nectar, and rejoicing the
generations of men,® (is present) in the midst of
our sacred rites.
^ i.e> the vasatwari water.
® So Sajana seems .to explain gmtri aihi iritah, cf. YIII. 7.
10. Benfey translates it ‘‘resting on an ox-hide/’ explaining
gauti adhi by the gor adhi twacM of IX. 101. 11.
^ For the meaning of “ sky here {div) cf, note on Sukta 10,
verse 9.
^ Sayana says that Indu embraces the Soma which is a portion
of himself — ^the deity seems to be thus opposed to the mere plant.
® So Sayana ; but it is more probable that samudra and hosa
mean here (as often elsewhere) the water into which the Soma
drops and the dronakalaia vessel.
® Sayana takes mdnusJid yugd as “the various sacrificial
seasons, whether occupying one or many days;” but I have
followed in the text his usual interpretation of the phrase.
236
RIG-VEDA SANHITi.
Varga I.
8. ^The sage Sonia, urged from heaven, flows in
a stream to the beloved abodes of his devout
(■worshipper).
9. Purifying Indu, bestow upon us wealth of sj
thousand radiances, excellent in its nature.
ADHYi^YA VIIL
MANDALA IX. Contikijed.
ANUVAKA I. Continued.
StfKTA XIII. (XIII.)
Rishi^ deity and metre as before*
]. ®The purifying Soma, flowing, in a thousand
streams and passing through the woollen filter,
proceeds to the prepared vessel for Vatu and Indea.
2. Sing aloud, ye who are desirous of (divine)
protection, to the purifying wise Soma, effused for
the beverage of the gods.
3. The >S^oma-juices flow for the attainment of
food, — giving abundance of strength and hymned
(to become) the beverage of the gods.®
* This verse and the next are transposed in the Sama Veda,
and there are several variations.
® Sama Veda, IL 5. 1. 3, 1-9*
® Sayana adds that they become the beverage of the gods in
the sacrifice, and by that means the sacrificer obtains food.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EI0HTH ADHTITA. 237
4. Tea, Indu^ for our attainment of food* pour
forth abundant streams, and splendid and excellent
vigour.
5. ^‘May those divine libations, when effused,
bring to us thousand-fold wealth and excellent
vigour.
6. Like horses urged to battle ® by their drivers, Varga ii.
the swift-flowing juices hasten through the woollen
fleece.
7. Making a loud noise, the libations flow (to the
the vessel) like cows lowing to their calves; they
are held in the arms (of the priests).
8. Acceptable and giving delight to Indea, pure
{Soma\ do thou, as thou utterest a sound, destroy
all our enemies.
9. Pure nibations),^ beholding all things and
destroying those who worship not, sit down in .
the place of sacrifice.
'SlJKiA XIV. (XIV.)
Bishi^ deity, and metre as before.
1. ®The wise [Soma) flows widely round, betaking Vargalii.
^ Vdjasdtaye may also be rendered for battle,” as in v. 6.
^ This and the next verse are transposed in the Sama Yeda.
® Sayana takes vdjasdtaye as meaning battle ” in the first
danse, and the attainment of food” in the second.
* Or this verse may be addressed to the gods who are invited
to partake of the oifering.
® Sama Yeda, I. 5. 2. 5. 10. The waves of the river” are
the Vasativan waters.
238
EIG-TEDA SAXHITA.
itself to the ^ares of the rh'er, and uttering a
sound desired by many.*
2. "When the five kindred sacrificing races/ de-
sirous of accomplishing pious rites, honour the
sustaining (^Soma) with their praise, —
3. Then all the gods rejoice in the juice of tnis
powerful (libation), when it is enveloped with milk
and curds.
4. Descending from the filters it hastens (into
the vessel), and passing through the cloth’s inter-
stices, it becomes united in this (sacrifice) with its
friend (Iwbra).
5. He who is rubbed down by the grandchildren
of the sacrificer® like a handsome young (horse),
and renders his form like the produce of the kine, —
Varga IV. 6. Expressed by the fingers, he proceeds obliquely
to the produce of the cow to mix with it ; it utters
a sound which (the worshipper) recognizes.
7. The fingers combine expressing the lord of
food,* and they grasp the back of the vigorous
(^Soma).
^ So Sajmia, but more piobablj bearing a h3’mn boloved by
many.”
® Sayana explains pamha vratah by pmuha Jana mamisJujci
yajamcindhj alluditig appaieiitly to tlio pamlia jandJi often men-
tioned before. Sahandhamh he liei’e explains by the obscure
word samdna-landhandli, in VIII. 20, by mmdna-handhiiMh.
® According to the SelioL the hand the saeniicer’s son, and
the fingers his grandchildren.
^ the Shina.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHTITA. 239
8. Soma, who boldest all the treasures of heaven
and earth, come favourably disposed to us.
Si-KIA XV. (XV.)
deity and metre as before.
1. ^This heroic Soma expressed by the fingers Varga v.
proceeds by the sacrifice, hastening with swift
chariots to Indra’s abode.
2. This Soma engages in many holy rites for the
great sacrifice where the immortals sit.
3. Placed (in the cart)^ he is brought by a
brilliant path, when the offerers of the libation
present him.
4. He tosses his horns as a bull, the lord of the
herd, sharpens his, — bearing treasures (for us) by
his might.
5. He proceeds along impetuous with golden
brilliant rays,® the lord of streams.
6. Overpowering at the juncture of time the
discomfited concealers (the Rdlcshasas), he descends
upon those doomed to destruction.^
* Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 3. 1-8, ■with several variations.
“ Saya^a explains it, “ Placed in havirdhdna he is brought
to the Ahavarnyad'
® Or by another interpretation of rukmibhih, “he proceeds
along with the priests, vigorous with brilliant rays.”
‘ This is a very obscure line. The St. Petersb. Diet, seems
to explain it, “ at the juncture of time passing beyond the solid
treasures (of heaven and earth), he descends upon the young
;8o/H«-plants.”
240
RIG-VEDA SANHITX.
A^argaYI.
7, The priests express into the vessels this juice
which is to be purified, the bestower of abundant
food.
8. The ten fingers, the sesven priests, express this
(juice), well-weaponed,* and yielding great exhila-
ration.
SirxTA XVI. (XVI.)
Rishiy deity, and metre as before.
1. They who express thee, the juice of heaven
and earth, do it for the foe-destroying exhilaration
(of Indea) ; thy flow rushes as a swift horse.
2. In pious rite by our fingers we mix with the
milk (the Soma\ the bringerof strength, the sender
of kine, who envelopes the water.
3. Cast into the filtering cloth the unassailable
invincible {Soma), abiding in the waters (of the
firmament) ; purify it for the drinking of Indra.
4. The Soma of him who is purified by worship
flows upon the filter and settles in the place common
with the ceremony.*
5. The Soma juices flow to thee, Indea, with
praises, giving thee vigour for the great conflict.
G. Purified in his woollen robe, and attaining
all honours, he stands as a hero amidst the kine.®
' SayaiKi says the word sicayiidha is used to show that the
Soma has power to sla}’ the Rdlc&Jiasas.
® The vessel called the dronaJcalam,
^ The Soma being mixed with milk, here called by metonymy
‘‘ kine.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — ^EIGHTH ADHYIYA. 241
7. As the lofty rain from heaven, the nutritious
stream of the invigorating Soma falls easily upon
the straining cloth.
8. Thou, Soma, (protectest) the -worshipper
amongst men, and purified by the cloth thou
wanderest through the woollen filter.
StJKTi. XYII. (XVII.)
Rishij deity and metre as before.
1. Like rivers falling down a steep place, so the Varga vii.
rapid foe-destroying pervading ^^oma-streams hurry
(to the pitcher).
2. The /Sowja-drops, as they are expressed, flow to
IxDEA like the rains falling upon the earth.
3. Soma, with swelling waves, exhilarating, in-
ebriating, flows to the straining-cloth, destroying
the BdJcshasas, and devoted to the gods.
4 . It flows to the pitchers, it is poured out upon
the straining-cloth, it is magnified at sacrifices by
praises.
5. Soma, mounting beyond the three worlds, thou
illuminest heaven, and, moving, thou urgest on the
sun. \
6. The sage performers (of pious rites) glorify
(the Soma) at the head of the sacrifice,' entertain-
ing affection for him the all-beholding."
' Murdhan yajnasya is explained by Suyana as “ on the last
day of expressing the Soma.” Cf. II. 3. 2.
* Sayana explains chahhasi as drashtari Some. It is usually
applied to the sun as the eye of the world.
VOL. V. R !
242
RIG-VEDA SAXHITi.
7. Sages, leaders of rites, desirous of sustenance,
purify thee who art the giver of food, with pious
rites for the offering.
8. Pour forth the stream of the sweet beverage ;
sit down, sharp-flavoured in the receptacle, alert
for drinking at the sacrifice.
SfeA XVIII. (XVIII.)
deity and metre as before.
Varga VIII. 1. ^Effused while pressed between the stones, the
Soma flows upon the straining cloth) thou art the
giver of all things to those who praise thee.“
2. ^Thou art wise, thou art a seer, thou bestowest
the sweet (beverage) produced from the Soma plant;
thou art the giver of all things to those who praise
thee.
3. ‘All the gods together pleased enjoy thy
drinking ; thou art the giver of all things to those
who praise thee.
4. (Thou art he) who places in the hands (of the
worshipper) all desirable riches ; thou art the giver
of all things to those who praise thee.
5. (Thou art he) who milks this great heaven
and earth like two mothers ; thhu art the giver of
all things to those who praise thee.
‘ Sama Veda, I. 5. 2. 4. 9; II. 4. 1. 17. 1.
^ Eather as Benfey takes it, in deinem Metb. tragsi du das
AIL’’
^ Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 17. 2.
^ Sama Veda, II. 4. 1. 17. 3.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHTXTA. 243
6. (Thou art he) who at once supplies both heaven
and earth with viands; thou art the giver of all
things to those who praise thee.
7. This vigorous Soma, while being purified,
murmurs in the pitchers ; thou art the giver of all
things to those who' praise thee.
Si5kta XIX. (XIX.)
Rishi, deity and metre as before.
1. ^Whatever wonderful glorious wealth there be Varga
in heaven or in earth, do thou, Soma^ being purified,
bring it to us.
2. Thou, Soma and Indea, are the lords of all,
the lords of cattle, — do ye, the rulers, prosper our
rites.
3. The showerer (of benefits) being purified
amongst men (lies) murmuring upon the sacred
grass, — green-tinted he sits down in his proper
place.
4. The mothers of the male calf,^ which are sucked
by him, long to cherish the bull with their strength.
5. The purified Soma has implanted many® a germ
' Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 13. 1, 3, 2.
^ Sa 3 'ana explains “the mothers of the calf” as the Yasativan'
water vthich is mixed with, the Soma. Might the verse mean
^‘the sacred rites, the mothers of the 'male calf, long for the
full-grown vigour of the bull ”?
^ So S^ana, but hmit is more probably an iptcrrogati\e
particle.
Targa X.
244 KIG-VEDA ai-NHITl.
in those (waters) desirous of conception, which yield
bright milk.
6. ^ Bring near to us those who stand aloof^ strike
terror into our foes; pure-flowing one, thou dost
transfer to us their riches.
7. Destroy, Soma^ the vigoui, the energy, the
subsistence of our enemy, whether he be far off or
nigh.
SteA XX. (XX.)
RisM, deity and metre as before.
1. ^The seer passes through the woallen fleece
for the beverage of the gods, triumphing over all
adversaries.
2. Terily he, the pure-flowing, bestows upon his
praisers thousands of victuals with cattle.
3. By thy favour thou givest to us all kinds of
wealth, thou flowest at our praise; grant us, 0
Soma, food.
4. Bestow upon us great renown, grant durable
riches to those who are profuse in their libations,
bring food to thy praisers.
5. Purified one, doer of good deeds, thou, Soma,
enterest our praises like a king, 0 wonderful bearer
(of our offerings).
6. Soma, the bearer (of oblations), abiding in
the waters of the firmament, difficult to be sur-
^ Sama Yeda, II. L 2. 18. 1.
* Sama Yeda, 11. 3. 2. 4. 1-7,
SIXTH ASHTAKA— EIGHTH ADHTIyA. 245
passed, being cleansed by our bands reposes in the
vessels.'
7. Soma, thou proceedest to the straining-cloth,
sportive and generous, like a gift/ giving excellent
vigour to him who praises thee.
StfKTA XXL (XXI.)
Eishtf deity and metre as before.
1. These flowing >Sb?Ha-juices, foe-destroying, ex- Varga xi.
hilarating, heaven-conferring, hasten to Indea, —
2. Showing favour, assailing foes, giving wealth
to him who rightly effuses them, and bestowing
food spontaneously on their praiser.
3. The effused juices come sporting lightly to the
common receptacle, they drop into the wave of the
river.®
4. Like horses harnessed to a car these pure
■juices bring (to us) all desirable blessings.
5. Effused /S'oOTa-juices, at our indication'* bestow
manifold blessings on this (institutor of the sacri-
fice), who (at present) has given us nothing.®
^ Or it may meaa ^^betweeu the boards which press it,” ckarnksliu.
* Makhah is generally explained as “ sacrifice.” The original
root of mmhayuh and makhah would seem, to be MAOH. See
below note on hymn 61, verse 27.
® Sc. The Vasativari water.
^ Or Sayana may mean by asmalKyam ddekanaya^ *^with a
view to us.”
® Sayana’s Comm, is imperfect, but he seems to explain this
as meaning, the saciificer only bestows gifts on his officiating
priests when he has obtained his desire.”
246
RIG-YEDA SARHITi.
6. As a great man s'^ts before him a commend-
able charioteer, so do yon grant knowledge to our
lord, and flow glistening with water.
7. These effused juices hare desired (the sacrifice) ;
powerful they have made for themselves an abiding-
place ; they have animated the intellect of the pious
institutor of the rite.
SiJkta XXII. (XXIT.)
deity and metre as before.
Varga All. 1. These /Sbffiffi-juices, when let out, neigh as they
leap swiftly forth like chariots or rapid steeds let
loose.
2. Like strong winds, like the rains of Paejarta,
like the swift-whirling (flames) of fire, —
3. These pure Soma-jvdoes, sagacious, mixed with
curds, easily pervade our ceremonies with their
intelligence.'
4. Purified, immortal, issuing from the vessels,
eager to traverse their (assigned) paths and the
universe, they are never wearied.
5. Spreading in various directions, they pervade
the surface of earth and sky, yea, and this highest
heaven.
6. Descending rivers follow this excellent (Soma)
' Sayaiia explains v{j}d by prajndnena. The St. Petersb.
Diet, explains vip as the twigs (of. vepres) which form the
bottom of the funnel ;and support the filtering-cloth*
SIXTH ASHTAK-V — EIGHTH AHIIYAYA.
247
as it spreads out tlie sacrifice;' this rite is glorified
thereby.
7. Thou, Soma, holdest the u'ealth of kinc which
thou hast won from flie Taxis; thou hast called
aloud at the outspread sacrifice.
sijKTA xxiiT. (xxnr.)
Rhhi, floit}' ainl iiH ho lx l«>iv.
1* The swift-ilewiiig* luivc issued in Varga XIIL
a stream of the 8\v(‘et cxliilaniling (hcvcragc), at
(the recital of) all Ukj pniiM s (of tlui sages).
2. Ancient swlll-goitig (1 uun(‘s), tlu'y (tlie juices)
have traversed u ntiW iieldj- liave gmierated
the sun to giv(3 liglit."
3. Bring to us, purifier, llui honscr^ of our enemy
who presents no lihations, — ht^slovv upon us progeny-
abounding food.
4. The swift-flowing /S'/>m^^-juicos dilfuso (‘xhilu-
rating wine, — they flow to the lionoy-slKidding
receptacle.^
5. The So?m flows, the sustaincr (of tlic world),
^ So Sayana, wlio explains tantum by yajnam. It is better
(with Benfey) to talxe it of the straining-clotli, — ‘^descending
rivers fill the outspread threads.^’
* Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 2. 6. Benfey takes pratndsa dijatah
as “ewigen lebendigen,” — the “new field is the arianged
place of sacrifice.
^ Sayana takes this as a metonymy for “wealth.’’
* i,e, according to Sayaigia, “the unmixed portion of the
liquor.”
248
RIG-TEBA SAEHITl.
bearing a sense-invigorating essence, — heroic — a
protector against calumny.
6. Soma, -who art worthy of the sacrifice,' thou
flowest to Indra and to the gods; thou, Indu,
vouchsafest to give us food.
7. Having drunk of this chi§f of exhilarating
draughts, Indra irresistible has slain his foes-, and
may he ever slay them.
StJkta XXIV. (XXIY.)
MMiy deity and metre as before.
]. 'The purified effused ^Sowa-juices have flowed
forth, — mixing (with curds and milk) they are
cleansed in the waters.
2. The flowing juices rush (to the filter), like
waters flowing down a declivity; purified they
gratify Indra.
8. Purifier, Soma, thou proceedest' to Indra for his
drinking, — thence art thou brought by the priests.
4. Thou, Soma, who art the exhilarator of men,
flow to (Indra), the conqueror of enemies,' thou
who art pure and to be worshipped.
* Sayana explains saihaniddya by yajndrJia. Benfey takes
it as “ zusaimnenberauschiend.”
’ For this hymn, of. Saraa Veda, II. 3. 2. 3. 1-7.
* Sayana adds, “from the -waggon -whence they are taken b^
the priests to the dhavaniya fire ” or “ to the Tessel.”
* The Sama Veda has charshanidhritih for charshanisahe, i.e.
an epithet of Soma, “ laid hold of by men,” or “ the protection
of men.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHYIYA. 249
5. When, Indu^ effused by the stones, thou
hastenest to the filtering-cloth, thou art an ample
portion for Indea’s belly
6. Utter destroyer of enemies, fiow forth, to be
propitiated by praises, pure, purifying, wonderful.
7. 8oma^ (the yielder) of the exhilarating effusion,^
is called the pure, the purifier, the gratifier of the
gods, the slayer of the wicked.
ANUVi^KA XL
ADHYAYA VIII. Continued.
StJkta I. (XXV.)
The RiAi is Deilhachyttta, the son of Aoasita ; the deity and
metre as before.
1. ^Green-tinted {8oma\ do thou who art the Varga xv.
bestower of strength, the exhilarating, flow as a
beverage for the gods, for the Maruts and for Yaytj.
2. '‘Purifying (Soma), placed suitably by the
sacred rite, (enfer) uttering a cry the (appointed)
place, enter by the sacred function into Vayxj.®
^ Sa} ana, Inclrasya udaraya ‘paryd'pto IJiavasi. Eenfuy explains
it as “fiir Indians Behausung ein Schmuck.”
^ The Sam a Ycda reads sutah sa madJmmdn for the more
obscure mtmya madhvali,
^ Sama Veda, 1. 5. 2. 4. 8; IL 3. 1. 10. 1.
^ Por TV, 2, 3, cf. Sama Veda, 11. 3. 1. 10. 3, 2, but with
some variations.
® That is, according to Sayana, the vessel associated with,
or set apart for, Vayu,’^ Ddyii-samhandhi fpdtram.
250
RIG-VEDA SANHII.^.
3. This Soma, the showerer (of benefits), the seer,
the beloved, the destroyer of foes, the most devout,
shines in its appointed place along with the gods.
4. Pervading all forms, the pure, the desirable
goes to the place where the immortals abide.
5. Endowed with wisdom of the past, the brilliant
Soma, generating sounds, floAvs forth continually
proceeding to Indra.
6. Most exliilarating and sage (Soma), flow
throTigh the filter in a stream, to attain the station
of the adorable Indra.
StJkia II. (XXVI.)
Tlie Rishi is iBHMATAns., the son of Deii,hachtdta, the deity
and metre as before.
1. The priests have cleansed that Soma, (swift as)
a horse, on the lap of Aditi ^ with fingers and with
hymns.^
2. The chants ® celebrate that Indu flowing in a
thousand streams, inexhaustible, the supporter of
heaven^
3. They have elevated to heaven by their praise
that creative purifying (Soma), the sustainer, the
maker of many.*
^ tke earth.
® Or “ mth delicate fingers.”
® Gdvahj which the scholiast explains as gantryah shdayah ;
but it may refer to the cows ns contributing their milk.
* Sayana explains lldiridltdyavam as laMindm hart dram i it
sliould rather mean “ th<‘ nourisher of many.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA. — ^EIGHTH ABHYXTA.
251
4. The worshippers have elevated h}’ the fingers
of their arms^ that unconquerable lord of praise
abiding (in the vessels).
5. The sister-fingers .in a raised place pres-; out
by the grinding stones that green-tinted {lio)uu\
desirable and far-beholding.
6. The worshippers offer thee to Ixdra, purifier
Indu, filled with praise and bestowing exhilaration.
StjETA III. (XXVIl.)
The Rishi is Xeimedha, of the family of Aksihas ; the deity
and metre as bcfoie.
1. ^This seer, the purifying (Soim), lauded byTargaXVii.
us, passes through the filtering-cloth, driving away
foes.
2. This invigorating heaven-conquering Soma is
poured upon the filter for Ixdea and V.ixc.
3. This Soma, the showerer (of benefits), the
summit of heaven, the all-knowing, being expressed
is brought by the priests into the wooden vessels.'*
^ Dhujd is here explained as miguhjd, and Ihurijoh as hdhwoJi.
But the St. Petorsb. Diet, explains the latter as ‘‘ein aus
zwei Armen bestehendes Werkzeug des Wagenarbeiters, in
welchem er das Holz festlialt und bearbeitot, — ctwa Sclmitz-
baiik;’* and dhi no doubt moans ** function’’ or ^‘coremon}*.”
^ Saraa Veda, II. 5. 2. 6. 1-5= verses 1-4, 6, of this hymn,
^ Sayana takes vnne&Iiu as desirable” or wooden ” ressois,
mnanigeshu mna-samhh aia- dnma’ViJcdreshu vd ^^dtreshiL Benfcy
explains it ns die Fiuth gepros^t.”
252
RIG-TEDA SANHITI.
4. This Indtj resounds as it drops, yearning to
give, us cattle and gold,* the conqueror of foes, the
irresistible.
6. This pure-flowing exhilarating Soma is aban-
doned by the sun in the filtering-cloth the sky.®
6. This powerful and purifying showerer (of
benefits), the green-tinted Indxt, flows through the
firmament to Indka.®
StJkta IV. (XXVIII.)
The Mishi is Priyaimedha ; the deity and metre as before.
Varga XVIII. 1. ’‘TMs swift-flowing [Soma) placed (in the
vessels) by the priests, all-knowing, the lord of
praise,® hastens to the woollen (filter).
2. This (Soma), effused for the gods, flows into
the filter, penetrating all the (divine) forms.
^ Voll Gier nach Kijih’D, voll Gier nach Gold,” Benfey.
* Sayana does not convey any very clear sense for this verse,
but lie seems to imply that the sun performs on a grand scale
the same office of diffusing the Soma-juice which the priests
performed on a small scale in the filtering-cloth, which is some-
times metaphorically called the sky. He explains hdsate by
^arityajyate ] Benfey takes it as the aorist of M *^to rise.”
(The verse is partly reproduced in Sama Yeda, 11. 5. 2. 5. 6.)
Might we translate it, “ this exhilarating Soma, as it drops on
the fi.ltering-cloth, rises with the sun into the heavens”?
® Sayapia explains antariTcshe as the filtering-cloth.
^ Sama Yeda, II. 5. 2. 5. 1~5 ; II. 5. 2. 6. 6.
® Sayana allows another explanation of manasah patik, ^4ord
of mind,” in allusion to a passage in an upanishad where Soma
or the moon is described. as becoming the mind and entering into
the heart, chandramd mam hhutiod hridayam prdciht.
SIXTH ASHTAKX — EIGHTH ADHTItA. 253
3. This divine immortal {Sojna) is brilliant in Ms
own place, the slayer of enemies, the most devoted
to the gods.
4. This showerer (of. desires), expressed by the
ten fingers, hastens uttering a sound to the pitchers.
5. This purified, all-contemplating, all-knowing
[Soma) gives radiance to the sun and all the spheres
(of light).
6. This powerful invincible purifying Soma pro-
ceeds the protector of the gods, the destroyer of
the wicked.
StjKTA V. (XXIX.)
The RisM is INTbimedha, of the family of Ab^gibas ; the deity and
metre as before.
1. ^The streams of this effused [Soma), the Varga xix.
showerer (of benefits), flow forth, as it seeks to
surpass the gods^ in strength.
2. The pious performers (of holy rites), the
utterers of praise, purify by their laudation the
radiant courser (the Soma) as soon as generated
and meriting to be hymned.
3. Soma, distributor of abundant wealth, those
radiances of thine when thou art purified are over-
powering ; fill therefore the praiseworthy ocean-like
(pitcher).
^ Sama Veda, II. 9. 1. 1, 1-3.
* S%ana takes arntprahhiishatah as an irregular desiderative
participle. . Benfey explains it (from hliuBh) as der alle Gdtter
schmiickenden;^’ the S.t. Petersburg Dictionary derives it from
anv^rahhii, sich darbieten.”
254
RIG-VEDA SANHITI.
4. Flow, Soma^ in a Ml stream, conquering for
us all treasures, — drive our enemies away together.
6. Preserve us from the reproach of every one
who makes no offerings, who utters blame, — that we
may he free.
6. pour to us in a stream terrestrial and
celestial riches, bring brilliant vigour.
SikiA TI. (XZX.)
The ^isU is Bikdtt, of the race of Anoibas ; the deity and metre
as before.
Varga xs. 1. The streams of this strong B<ma flow without
effort into the filtering-cloth; purified, he excites
praise.^
2. This hidu^ urged by the priests, and purified
with a sound in the filter, utters a loud voice ^ (in
the oblation).
3. Pour upon us in a stream, Soma^ foe-subduing
strength, associated with male offspring and desired
by many.
4. This purified Boma flows out in a stream to
take its place in the pitchers.
5. Indu^ they press thee forth by the stones,
most sweet-flavoured and green-tinted, into the
waters for Indra to drink.
6. (Priests) express the most sweet-flavoured
beautiful exhilarating Boma for Indra the thunderer,
and for our invigoration.
^ Or he utters a sound.’’
^ This is uncertain, as the commentary is here corrupt.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHTItA. 255
Si5i:ta VII. (XXXI.)
The RisM is ElHtJGANii Gotama ; the deity and metre as before.
1. The benevolent juices being purified flow forth, Varga xxi.
they confer intellectual wealth.
2. Indu be (to us) the augmenter of the riches
of heaven and earth, be the lord of food.^
3. For thee, Soma, the winds are gracious, for
thee the rivers flow, they magnify thy greatness.
4. Be well nourished, Soma', may vigour come
to thee from all sides, be (the giver) of strength
in battle.
5. Tawny-tinted {Soma), the cows yield butter
and milk inexhaustible for thee (set) on the highest
summit.
6. Indu, lord of beings, we desire the friendship
of thee, the well-armed.
StJKiA Vl'l^. (XXXII.)
Tte jfJMj is S'rivA^'WA, of the race of Axbi ; the deity and ihetre
as before.
1. ^The Soma juices, diffusing exhilaration, rush 'Wga xxii.
forth effused at the sacrifice for the sustenance of
us abounding in oblations.
2. ®And the fingers of Teita express this green-
tinted Soma with the .stones for Ixdra’s drinking.
‘ Sayana explains chetanam as prynapanmn^ Grassraann takes
it as “ sichtbar, hell.”
* Sama Veda, I. 5. 2. 5. 1 ; II. 1. 2. 21. 1.
“ Sama Veda, II. 1. 2. 21. 3, 2.
256
BIG-TEDA SAKTHITl,
3. ^And like a swan entering its own flock, the
Soma excites the praise of all, — like a horse, it is
bathed with milk.
4. Beholding both worlds. Soma, thou hurriest,
swift ^ as a deer, taking thy seat on the place of
sacriflce.
5. Praises commend thee (Soma) as a woman
praises a dear lover ; (thou hastenest to the vessel)
as a hero hastens to the welcome contest.
6. Give to us who are afl3.uent (in oblations), and
also to me, brilliant fame, wealth, intelligence, and
glory.^
StJKTi. IX. (XXXIII.)
The Bishi is Teita ; the deity and metre as before.
Varga xsiii. 1. ^Tlie intelligent Soma juices rush along like
waves of water, like buffaloes to the forests.
2. ®The tawny-coloured bright juices hasten to
the pitchers with a stream of ambrosia, they pour
forth sustenance accompanied with cattle.
* Sayana seems to explain, this “as a swan by its peculiar gait
or voice excites the admiration of its flock as it enters it.’^
^ Sayana here takes “ taktah^'* as mixed with milk, etc.;''
but in IX. 69. 15. as swift."
® Sayana explains iravas here as kirti, ''glory," but it may
also mean ama^ " food."
^ Sama Yeda, I. 5. 2. 5. 2; II. 1. 2. 19. 1 {myanU for na
yanti).
® Sama Yeda, II. L 2. 19. 2, 3.
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHTITA. 267
3. The libations effused proceed to Indea, to
Yayh, to Yaetjna, to the Maeuts, to Yishnh.
4. ^The priests utter the three sacred texts, tlie
milch kine low (on beipg milked), the green-tinted
Soma goes sounding (to the vessels).
5. “The many sacred hymns, the mothers of the
sacrifice, give praise, they purify (the Soma), the
infant of heaven.^
6. ^From every side, Soina, pour upon us four
oceans of riches, grant us thousands (of desires).
StfKiA X. (XXXIY.)
The RisJdj deity, and metre as before
1. Indu^ when effused and expressed (by the Yarga xxi7.
priests), flows in a stream to the filtering-cloth,^
breaking down strong places by its strength.
2. The Soma effused proceeds to Ixdra, to Vayu,
to Varota, to the Marijts, to Vishnu.
3. They press the crushed Soma as it pours forth
its juice between the effusing stones, they milk out
its juice by their acts.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 5. 2. 4. 5 ; IL 2, 2, 14. 1. The three sacred
texts are th.e three Yedas.
® Sama Yeda, II. 2. 2. 14. 2. Sayana explains Iralmith as
'^uttered by the brahmans.”
^ Sayana quotes a text, Soma was in the third world from
hence, heaven.”
^ Sama Yeda, IL 2. 2. 14. 3 (with miswatah for viswataJi),
® Sayana explains tana by ^avitrayyi (cf. hymn 16, verse 8)^
it more probably means ‘‘ continuously.”
YOL. Y, S
258
E.IG-VBD4. SAIiTHITi:.
4. The exhilarating Soma is to be cleansed
(for the sacrifice) of Teita, and for the drinking
of Indea; the green-tinted (juice) is mixed with
the ingredients.^
5. The sons of Peisni milk this Soma at the
place of sacrifice, the most beautiful and grateful
oblation (to the gods).
G. Our sincere smooth-flowing praises approach
him, and he uttering a sound welcomes the milch
kine.®
StlKiA. XI. (XXXV.)
The Rklii is pEABHtJVAsxi, of the race of Akoiras ; the deity and
metre as before.
Varga XXV. 1. Poiu’ upon US, purifier, ample riches with that
stream wherewith thou bestowest upon us light.®
2. Indu, impeller of the waters, confounder of
all (our foes), flow forth by thy power as the
supporter of wealth to us.
3. With thee, heroic (Soma), as our hero, may
we overcome our enemies, pour upon us desirable
(riches).
4. IxDTJ, the bestower of food, the seer, sends
food to the worshipper, showing his favour, ac-
quainted with sacred rites and arms.
^ i,e» the curds and milk.
* Le, according to Sayana, ‘^our gratifying praises/^ prim-
yitrlh sitdift,
^ Yayd jyotir viddu mk. Sayana explains ji/otis as the
sacriheo’* or ‘Mieaven,”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHTi.TA. 259
5. We elotlie ^ with, praises that Soma who is the
inspire!’ of praise, the purified, the shepherd of men.^
6. On the worship of whom all men fix their
thoughts, — the lord of pious acts, the purified, the
possessor of abundant wealth.
SUETA XII. (XXXVI.)
The RisM, deity, and metre as before.
1. ^Pressed between the boards, (the Soma) has Varga xxvi.
been let loose, like a chariot-horse, upon the strain-
ing-cloth, — the courser steps out on the field.*
2. Soma, bearer (of oblations), vigilant, devoted
to the gods, fiow past the honev-dr opping -filter-
cloth (into the vessel).
3. Ancient purifier, illume for us the luminaries
(of heaven), animate us for strength-bestowing
sacrifice.
^ This is an alternative explanation added in the commentary ;
bnt curiously enough it is followed by the words, ^^Madhava,
however, takes vdcham as a separate word and as a verb, and
divides the line into two sentences.” He would explain it,
address him with praises ; we cover (with milk, etc.) Soma who
is the purified inspirer, the cow-keeper of men.”
® Literally, ^Hhe herdsman of janast/a gopatim.
® Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 1.4.
* Say ana explains Icdrsliman as ‘-'the god-attracting battle-field
called a sacrifice,” devdndm dharshanavati yajndhhjs sangrdme.
The St. Petersburg Diet, takes it as the furrow drawn as the
goal of a race;” and Sayana himself takes it as *^a piece of
wood serving for a goal,” in his explanation of R. V. T. 116. 17.
The true translation is undoubtedly ^^the courser steps out to
the goal,”
260
MS-VEDA SANHITX.
4. Beautified by the ministers of the rite, ex-
pressed by their hands, (the Soma) flo-ws through
the woollen filter.
5. May that Soma bestow upon the donor (of the
libation) all treasures, whether of heaven or earth
or the firmament.
G. Soma, lord of food, thou ascendest to the
summit of the sky, desirous of horses, kine, and
male progeny. _ '
SiJkta XIII. (XXXYII.;
The Rishi is EiHtieAisrA, the metre and deity as before.
1. ^ Soma, the showerer (of benefits), when effused
for the drinking (of the gods), rushes to the filter,
destroying the Edlcshasas, devoted to the gods.
2. The all-beholding Soma, green-tinted, all-
sustaining, rushes to the filtijr (and thence) crying
aloud to the pitcher.
o. (Fleet as) a horse, the pure Soma, the illumer
of heaven,^ hastens, the destroyer of Rdkshasas, past
the woollen ficece.
4. The pTire Sonm upon the high place (of the
sacrifice) of Tkita, attended by its kindred rays,
has lighted up the Sun.
* Sama Ycda, II. 5. 2. 7. 1-6.
“ Sayana explains rocliand as rochahahj but this is very un-
likely. The true interpretation is probably (Fleet as) a horse,
the pure Soma^ the destroyer of rdJeshasas^ hastens towards the
light of heaven through the woollen fleece.”
SIXTH ASHTAKA — EIGHTH ADHYITA. 261
5. The slayer of Ybitea, the showerer of benefits,
the giver of wealth, the invincible, the effused So7na
proceeds (to the pitcher) as (a horse) to battle.
6. The divine Soma, when effused by the priest,
hastens in his might ^ to the pitchers for Indea.
SlJKTA XIV. (XXXVIII.)
RisJliy deity, and metre as before.
1. ®This Soma, the showerer of benefits, the
chariot,® dashes through the woollen fleece, bearing
(to the worshipper) thousandfold food.
2. The fingers of Teita effuse by the stones this
green-tinted juice for Indea’s drinking.
3. The ten fingers,^ eager in the work, express
that {Soma), and by them it is purified for the ex-
hilaration (of Indea).
4. That Soma sits down amongst human beings
like a falcon, hastening as a gallant to his mistress.
5. That exhilarating juice beholds all, — Inclu,
the child of heaven, that percolates through the
fleece.
^ The Sama Yeda reads mafihayan for manhand. Sayan a takes
the latter as malidn, I haye rendered it by maJiathvena as
Sayana does in IV. 17. 1. The St. Petersburg Piet, explains it
as an adverb, gern, leicht, bald, prompte.’’
® Sama Veda, IL 5. 2. 4. 1, 2, 4-6, 3.
® Sayana gives the etymology of rathah as rahhana-swahhdmh
= swift.”
^ Harit is given in the Miglu II. 5. as a synonym of angiili,
^^a finger.” Sayana explains it "etymologically as harajia-siva-
hhdva^ grasping.” Penfey takes it as “ der goldberingte.”
262
RIG-TEDA SANHlTl.
G. That green-tinted, all-sustaining {Soma), when
effused for the drinking (of the gods), rashes crying
aloud to its beloved place.
StJKTA XV. (XXXIX.)
The Rishi is EiiiUAraATi, of the family of Angieas ; the deity
and metre as before.
Varga XXIX. 1. ' Great-minded Soar a, go swift with thy body
that is most dear (to the gods), saying, “ Where are
the gods?”
2. Sanctifying the unconsecrated (worshipper)
bringing food for the offerer, pour down rain from
heaven.
3. (The Soma) when effused enters the filter with
force, giving forth light, beholding and illuminating
(all things).
4. This {Soma), who light of movement (mounts)
to heaven, flows through the Alter in a stream of
water.
5. The effused {Soma) honouring (the gods),
whether he is fiir off or jiigh, is poured out (as)
madhu for Indba.
6. The united (worshippers) praise (him), they
squeeze (him) forth green-tinted with the stones;
sit down (0 gods) at the place of sacrifice.
' Sdma Veda, II. 3. 1.4. 1-6, with hrwan for Iramn in verse
1 and other alterations.
’ Or “(place).”
SIXTH ASHIAKA — EIGHTH ADHYIYA. 263
SfeTA XYI. (XL.)
J^ishi, deity, and metre as before.
1. *Tlie pure all-seeing (Soma) has overcome all Varga xxx.
enemies; (the -worshippers) grace the sage (Soma)
with their praises.
2. ^The tawny-hued showerer (of benefits) when
effused ascends to his place ; he goes to Indka : he
dwells in the fixed abode (of heaven).
3. ®0 Lstdu, 0 Soma, quickly pour upon us from
all quarters vast and infinite riches.
4. O purified Soma, 0 Indh, bring all sorts of
wealth, bestow unlimited food.
5. 0 Soma, being purified, bring us thy wor-
shippers wealth with male offspring, recompense
the praises of him who glorifies thee.
6. Indu, Soma, being purified, bring us wealth
from both worlds; Indu, showerer (of benefits),
(bring us) glorious (wealth).
St-KiA XVII. (XLI.)
The Mi$M is MEDHyiTixni, son of Kanwa ; the deity and metre
as betore.
1. * (Praise the ^ojKa-juiees) which descend like Varga xxxi.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 1. 2, and II. 3. 1. 12. 1.
“ Sama Yeda, II. 3. 1. 12. 2, with su^am for and sidalu
for sidati,
® Sama Yeda, II. 3. 1. 12. 3--
^ The whole of this hymn occurs with variations in Sama Yeda,
II. 3. 1. 3. 1-6.
264
EIG-VEDA SANHItI.
streams of water, swift, brilliant, rapid, driving off
the black-skinned (^RdJcsliasa)}
2. We praise the auspicious Somah imprisonment
(of the Ralcshasas) and hostile, (intent against them),^
whilst we triumph over the enemy who performs no
rites.
3. The sound of the purified, powerful Soma is
heard like that of rain; (his) lightnings move in
the sky.
4. When effused, Indu, pour forth much food
with cows, gold, horses, and strength.
5. Plow, all-seeing (Soma), fill the vast heaven
and earth, as the sun. (fills) the days with his
beams.
6. Plow round us. Soma, on all sides in a bliss-
bestowing stream, like a river down a steep place.^
StjKTA XVIII. (XLII.) ■
RisM, deity, and meti-e as before.
Vaisja 1. The green-tinted (Soma) generating the lumi-
XXXII. . \ / Kj a
naries of heaven, generating the sun in the firma-
ment, clothing himself* with the descending
waters —
^ Literally, the black skin;’' or ‘Hhe black cover” (i.e. the
darkness). The Eakshasas are perhaps the personification of
darkness, especially the darkness of the night.
^ Sayaiia’s meaning is not quite clear; he gives no force to ah\
® Or ‘‘ as the earth (is surrounded) with water.”
* Or ** the earth.”
SIXTH ASHTXKA — EIGHTH ADHYIYA. 2G5
2. ^ — He with ancient praise when effused flows
in a stream, a god for the gods.
8. The Soma juices of unbounded vigour flow
for the increasing, rapid- acquisition of food.
4. ^Milking forth the ancient fluid, the SoiXA is
poured into the filter and crying out generates the
gods.®
5. Soma being purified hastens towards all de-
sirable (wealth), towards the gods who favour the
sacrifice.
6. SowA, being effused pour down upon us
(wealth) consisting of kine, male offspring, horses
and strength, and abundant food.
SUKTA XIX. (XlIII.)
RisTiif deity, and metre as before.
1. We invest with praises that Soma who,
beloved, is cleansed like a horse with milk^ for
the exhilaration (of the gods).
2. This Indit all our praises desiring protection,
beautify (now) as of old for Ihdea to drink.
3. Pure flows the beloved Soma, beautified by
the praises of the sage Medhyatithi.
^ Sama Yeda, II. 1. 2, 17. 2, last part different.
^ Sama V'eda, 11. 1. 2. 17. 3.
^ S%ana explains this as meaning that where the Soma is
poured forth the gods are continually present.
4 Or with the msatimri water.”
Yar^a
XXXIII.
266
RIG-VEDA SANHiTA.
4. Purified Soma, grant us auspicious wealth
with infinite splendour, 0 Irou.
6. Indu, like a horse rushing into battle, sounds
in the sieve, when he flows through, beloved of the
gods.
6. Plow for the acquisition of food, for the
prosperity of the sage who praiseth thee ; 0 Soma,
grant (me) excellent male offspring.
ASHTAEA VII.
ADHYA'YA I.
MANDALA IX. Continxjed.
ANUVAXA II. CoxTiNUED.
StfKTA XX. (XLIY.)
The Rishi is AtIsta, of the family of Astgikas ; the deity is Soma
PatahXita, and the metro Qdyatr’i.
Varga I. 1. thou advaucest to give us abundant
wealth; Atasta hearing thy waves (goeth) towards
the gods (to sacrifice).
2. The sage Soma gratified by the praise of the
pious (worshipper) prepared for the sacrifice is sent
in a stream at a distance (from the filter).
3. This vigilant Soma effused for the gods ap-
proaches, all-beholding he goes to the filter.
^ Sama Yeda^ I. 6. 1. 2. 13.
SBTBNTH ASHTAKA — ^FIEST ADHTItA. 267
4. Flow for US food-desiring, making (our) sacrifice
auspicious; (0 Soma, whom) the priest with the
sacr-ed grass adores.
5. May Soma who is pressed forth by the seers
for Bhaga and Vatu, ever prospering, grant us
(wealth placed) amongst the gods.
6. Eeceiver of sacrifices, knower of (pious) paths,
grant us this day abundant food and strength for
the acquisition of wealth.
SiJKTi. XXI. (XLV.)
MisM, deity, and metre as before.
1. Indu, do thou the beholder of men flow Vargaii.
pleasantly ^ for the banquet of the gods, for Ikdea’s
drinking and exhilaration.
2. Approach the ofiB.ce of messenger for us : thou
(who) art drunk for Indea, (pour) on the gods
wealth for (us their) friends.
3. And we adorn thee, the purple-tinted, with
milk and curds for the purpose of exhilaration,
open the doors for our riches.
4. Indu passes the filter as a horse in going
passes the shaft (of the chariot); he proceeds to
the midst of the gods.
' Sayana sometimes explains ]^am as suhham yatha hhavati
tathd^ sometimes as a particle meaning n'otMng, inserted merely
metri gratia*
268
BIG-VEDA SANHITi.
5. His friends praise Iron sporting in the water
and passing through the fleece ; their hymns glorify
him.
6. Flow, Indtj, with that stream wherewith when
drunk thou bestowest much vigour on thy dis-
cerning worshipper.
SfeA XXII. (XLVI.)
Eishij deity, and metre as before.
Vaigain. 1. Begotten by the stones^ the flowing (Soma-
juices) are effused for the banquet of the gods like
active horses.
2. The ;S'o?j?a-juices pressed (at the sacrifice)
adorned like a bride who hath a father flow to
Tatu.
3. These brilliant >S(9««a-juices, bestowing pleasant
food, expressed into the vessel, gratify Indea with
the ceremonies.
4. Dexterous (priests) hasten (to me), take with
the ladle the pure (Soma), mix the exhilarating
(Soma) with milk and curds.
5. Soma, conqueror of wealth, who knowest the
way (to fulfil my desires), flow forth the bestower
of vast wealth upon us.
6. The ten fingers purify this purifiable pure-
flowing exhilarating juice for Indea.
^ Or growing on the mountain slopes.’*
SEVENTH ASHTAKA-ttFIEST ADHYjtVA. 269
SiJeta XXIII. (XLVII.)
The Rishi is Kavi, the son of Bheigtt ; the deity and metre as
• before-
1. ^By this sacred solemnity the Soma is magni-
fied before the mighty (gods): exulting he moves
like a bull.®
2. They publish ® his exploits, his acts of Dasyu-
crushing: resolute he acquits the debts fof the
worshipper).
3. When the praise of Indea is recited, then
the juice dear to him, vigorous as a thunderbolt,
gives us unlimited wealth.
4. When the sage Soma is cleansed by the fingers,
he of his own aooord desires wealth for tlie pious
worshipper in (Indea), the granter of wishes.^
5. Thou desirest to give’ wealth to those who
conquer in combat as (men offer fodder) to horses
in battle.
^ SamaYeda, I. 6. 1. 2. 11, with variations.
^ Or “roars like a bull’’ {i,e. on the sounding holes), Sama
Yeda.
® The commentary is defective here. Ludwig translates chetanU
“ are conspicuous.”
* Sayana explains vidkartan as xxdhdiarindi'e and adds indrem
dhamni idj^ayitum ichchhati^ “ he desires to cause Indra to give
wealth.” It is more probably the infinitive.
* Ludwig takes sisJidsatuh as the 3rd dual, “They two desire
wealth,” and the last part of the verse as “ thou art on the side
of the successful in battle.” Grassmann follows Sayana.
Varga IV.
270
BIQ-VEDA SABHITI.
StfETA XXIT. (XLTIII.)
Rishi, deity, and metre before.
TargaT. 1. ^By sacred rites we solicit (wealth) of thee,
auspicious bearing wealth ahiding in the regions
of the vast heaven —
2. The overthrower of the resolute (foe), the
praiseworthy, to whom, many solemn observances
are addressed, the exhilarator, the destroyer of a
hundred cities (of the Asuras).
3. 0 (Soma), doer of good deeds, the unwearied
hawk^ brought thee, king over riches, from this
heaven.
4. The bird brought thee the showerer of water
the protector of the sacrifice, the common property
of every god.
5. The contempiator of all, the granter of desires,
putting forth his energy obtains superior greatness.
SfeA XXV. (XLIX.)
Rwhi, deity, and metre as before.
Varga VI. 1 . Pour dowu upon US a shower from heaven, a
stream of waters, wholesome and abundant food.
2. Flow in such a stream that the cattle belong-
\ ing to the (enemy’s) nation may come here to our
dwelling.
3. Thou who art most dear to the gods at sacri-
> Sama Veda, II. 2. 2. 3. 1.
* S^yana refers to lY. 26. 7.
SETESTH ASHTAZA — ^FIRST ADHTITA. 271
fices, shower down water in a stream, pour tJiy rain
upon us.
4. Do thou for our sustenance hasten to the
woollen filter with thy -stream ; let the gods hear
thy sound.
5. The purifier (the Soma) flows forth destroying
the RdkshasaSj flashing out brilliance as of old.
StiKTA XXVI. (L.) ^ V
The is Ijchaihxa, of the family of Anoieas; the deity and
metre as before.
1. ^Forth flow thy mighty (streams), like the roar Varga vii.
(issuing) from the ocean wave : emit thy sound like
that of a (rushing) arrow.^
2. At thy birth the three voices® of the wor-
shipper are uttered when thou goest to the summit
jf the fleece.
3. (The priests) effuse with the stones into the
fleece the beloved green-tinted purifying honey-
dropping {Soma).
4. Most exhilarating sage (Soma), flow in a stream
to the filter to sit on Indra’s lap.^
* The whole of this hymn occurs in the Sdma Veda (II. 5. 1.
5. 1-5).
* Or a reed (or other musical instrument).
® The Eich Yajush and Sama hymns.
* Sayana adds that although this verse was analysed in the
previous Adhydya (see Sukta 25, verse 6), it is explained once “
more for fear dull-witted scholars have forgotten it.
272
BIG-V£DA sanhitI.
5. Most exhilarating Indu, being anointed with
the unguents of milk and curds, flow forth for
Indea’s drinking.
Stki.. XXVII. (LI.)
Rishi^ deity, and metre as before.
Varga VIII. 1. ^ Adhwaryu, pour upon the filter the Soma
that has been expressed with the stones, purify it
for Indea’s drinking.
2. ^[Adhwaryus\ effuse the most sweet-flavoured
Soma, the best ambrosia of heaven for Iitoea, the
wielder of the thunderbolt.
3. ®lOT)tr, the gods and the Maruts partake of
thy sweet purif 3 ring beverage.
4. For thou, Soma, being effused, approaehest
the worshipper for speedy exhilaration and pro-
tection.
5. Hasten, sagacious (Soma), when thou art
effused, to the filter in a stream : bestow upon us
food and fame.
SfeiA XXVIII. (LII.)
RisM, deity, and metre as before.
Varga IX. 1. ^May the glittering (Soma), the acquirer of
^ Sama Teda, I. 6. 1. 2. 3, and II. 5. 1. 11. 1. Tajusb xx. 31.
According to Mahidhara it is Brahma who gives this direction to
the Adhwaryu.
* Sama Yeda, II. 5. 1. 11. 3.
Sama Teda, II, 5. 1. 11. 2.
^ Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 1. 10, reading for swim for smdno (qu.
metri gratia ?)
SEVENTH ASHTAKA. — FIEST ABHYITA. 273
wealth, bestow upon us strength together with food ;
hasten when effused to the filter.
2. Thy juice dear (to the gods), flowing in a
thousand streams, proceeds by ancient paths to the
fleecy filter,
3. (Soma), send (us) him who is like a pot;^ Indu,
send us now wealth ; swift-flowing (Soma), send
it with blows (of the stones).
4. Indtj, the invoked of many, overthrow the
strength of those people which, challenges us.
5. Indu, do thou who art the distributor of
iches, pour forth for our protection a hundred or
thousand of thy pure (streams).
StjKTA XXIX. (LIII.)
The EisM is AtatsIua, of the race of Xa^tapa.
1. \8oma) armed with the stones,® thy powerful Varga x.
(streams) rise up scattering the RdJcshasas', drive
away those who are our adversaries.
2. (Thou art) by this strength the discomfiter (of
foes): I praise thee with a fearless heart for the
sake of (our) line of chariots ranged (against the
foe) and for the sake of wealth.
^ M. M. edition lias purnodanah (qu. misprint for purnndahahj
full-bellied: compare ** pot-bellied”). Wilson’s MS. hoApiirne
dine
® This hymn occurs Sama Yeda, II. 8. 8. 2. 1-4.
® Sayana explains adrivai as referring to the stones used for
crushing the Soma.
TOL. T. T
274
BIChVBDA SANHITl.
3. The prowess of thee (Soma) as thou art poured
forth is irresistible against the malignant {Rakshasa)'.
destroy him who defies thee to battle.
4. (The priests) plunge Indu, honey-dropping,
green-tinted, vigorous, exhilarating, into the waters
for IroitA.
StjKTA XXX. (LIV.)
Mishi, deity, and metre as before.
Targaxi. 1. Towards Soma’s ancient body the seers milk
the flashing fluid, the sage who grants a thousand
boons.
2. Se like the sun is the supervisor (of all acts):
he hastens to the lakes, ^ he unites with the seven
down-descending rivers from heaven.
3. The purified Soma, like the divine sun, abides
above all regions.
4. Purified Iron, who art devoted to Indea, pour
down for our sacrifice food with milk and curds.
StJKTA XXXI. (LV.)
Rtsluf deity, and metre as before,
Varga XII. ®SoMA, pour forth (iu a stream of) food,
abundant oft-collected (juice), and all good things.
2. Indu, since the praise of thee as food, since
thy birth (has appeared), sit down upon the grass
that pleases (thee).
‘ Sdyana explains this as thirty uldha pdtras (vessels or liba-
tions offered during the recitation of the uWia) or thirty days
and nights.
^ This hymn occurs Sdma Yeda, II. 3. 2. 5.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — KESX ABHTXTA. 276
3. And Soma, do thou wno art the giver of cattle,
the giver of horses, flow to us in (a stream of) food
as the days quickly pass.^
4, Flow forth, 0 conqueror of thousands, who
conquers and is not conquered, and attacking slays
his foe.
SfeA-XXXII. (LVI.)
Ruhiy deity, and metre as before.
1. The swift devoted to the gods destroying Vupt. xni.
the RdJcshasas in the filter bestows abundant food
(on us).
2. When the hundred rite*loving streams (of
the Soma) obtain the friendship of Indea, then the
Soma brings us food.^
3. The ten fingers commend thee, Soma, as a
maiden her lover, thou art cleansed in order to
bestow (wealth on us)
4. Do thou, Indu, who art sweet-flavoured flow
for Indea and Tishnu, preserve the worshippers
thy praisers from sin.
StJKiA XXXIII. (LVII.)
RisM, deity, and metre as before*
1. ®Thy unconnected streams advance towards va^ Xiv,
infinite food (for-^s) like the showers from heaven.
^ This seems to be an instrumental absolute, but Sayana ex-
plains it ^^by reason (or by means) of the days quickly passing?^
® So Sayana. The proper order is of course, ^'whea Soma
brings us food, his hundred rite-loving streams obtain Indra^s
friendship.^^
^ This hymn occui's in 8ama Yeda, II. 8, 3. 13. 1 - 4 .
276 RIG-YEDA SAiraiTl.
2. The green-tinted Soma contemplating all the
holy acts that are pleasing to the gods rushes (to
the sacrifice) brandishing his weapons (against the
Rdlcshasas).
3. He, the object of pious observances, cleansed
by the priests, fearless ^ as a king, sits on the waters
like a hawk.
4. Inbu, when thou art purified, bring us all the
treasures that are in heaven and upon earth.
SlJKTA XXXIV. (LVIII.)
Rishif deity, and metre as before.
Varga XV. 1. ^He the delighter (of the gods) flows rescuing
(his worshippers from sin); the stream of the
effused beverage (flows); he the delighter (of the
gods) flows rescuing (his worshippers from sin).
2. The bi’illiant (stream), the bestower of riches,
knows how to protect the worshipper : he the
delighter (of the gods) flows rescuing (his wor-
shippers from sin).
3. "VYc have received thousands from Dhwasra
and PuRtJSHAX-Ti^: he the delighter (of the gods)
flows rescuing (his worshippers from sin).
’ The St. Petersburg Diet, conjectures ibhe for ihho, “ like a
king amongst his retinue.”
* The whole hymn occurs Silma Yeda, II. 4. 1. 5. 1~4', and
the first line also, thid. I. 6. 1. 2. 4.
’ Two kings who conferred great wealth on Tamnta and Puru-
milha^ two rishis of the family of Vidaclasiva. See p. xxxiii of
Max Miillcr’s llig-vcda, vol. v.
SETENTH ASHTAKA — EIEST AEHYIyA. 277
4. We have received from those two three hundred
thousand^ garments: he the delighter (of the gods)
flows rescuing (his worshippers from sin).
StJKTA XXXV. (LIX.)
RisMj ieiij, and metre as before*
1. Flow, SojiA, conqueror of cattle, of horses, ofvarjaivi.
all things, of desirable wealth; bring us riches
with male offspring.
2. Flow with waters and with filaments,^ flow
with herbs, flow with the stones.
3. Soma, do thou who art the purifier, the sage,
overcome all hindrances; sit down on the sacred
grass.
4. 0 purifying Soma, grant all boons; as soon
as thou art born thou art great; Indu, thou over-
comest all (foes).
StjKTA XXXVI. (LX.) vi^
RisM and deity as before* Third verse JPuraiishnik, the rest
Gdyatri,
1. Hymn with a Gdyatri hymn Indu the purifier, Varga xvir.
the all-beholding, the thousand-eyed.
2. Thee, the thousand-eyed, and the supporter
of thousands, they make to flow through the filter.
* Or rather “thirty robes and thousands” (of. verse 3).
Sayana’s interpretation neglects the e/w, and besides trimsatmli
mhasrdtd -would mean “ thirty thousand.”
“ addlhyalf is properly n. sing. “ inviolable.”
278
EIO-VEDA SANHECl.
3. The purifier trickles through the hairs of the
filter ; he hastens to the pitchers, entering Indea’s
heart.
4. All-heholding SoJfA, flo'w pleasantly for Iitoea’s
gratification ; bring (us) food "with male offspring.
ANUVA'KA III.
ADHTAYA I. Continued.
StfKTA I. (LXI.) *
The Rishi is AMAHfru, of the family of Angiras ; the metre is
G&yatr'f, deity as before.
Varga XVIII. 1. ^Flow, Ikdtt, for (Indea’s) food ^ with that
(juice) of thine which in battles overthrew ninety
and nine (cities of the foe).
2. (Which overturned) the cities in a moment,
and for the sake of the devout Divodasa (subdued)
Sambaea, and then that Tuevasa and Yadu.
3. Indtj, conqueror of horses, shower forth horses
with cattle and gold and unbounded food.
4. ^We solicit thy friendship as thou droppest
flowing over the filter.
' Terse 1 occurs Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. L 9, and verses 1 to 3,
ihU. 11. 5. 1. 6. 1-3.
^ Saya^a, in order to avoid making yah refer to the feminine
viti (~ •oiiya\ takes xMi as dative and ayd as masculine, supplying
rasem, Ayd vHi should, however, be construed with that food.’’
® Yerses 4 to 6 occur Sama Yeda, II. 2. 1. 5. 1-3.
SEYENTH ASHTAKA—PIEST ADHTItA. 279
5. Delight us, Soma, with those thy undulations
which flow over the filter in a stream.
6. Soma, who art lord over all, the purifier, Varga xix.
bring us riches and food with male offspring. ’•
7. ^The ten fingers cleanse this Soma, whose
parents are the rivers; he is associated with the
Adityas.
8. When effused he proceeds to the filter, with
Indea and Yatu, and with the sun’s rays.
9. Do thou who art sweet-flavoured and beautiful
flow (at) our (sacrifice) for Bhaga, Yatu, PtJshan,
Mitra, and Yaeuna.
10. ^The birth of thy juice is on high : the earth
has received (thy) intense happiness and abundant
food, though (these) exist (naturally) in heaven.®
11. ^By this (Soma) obtaining and desiring tovargaxx.
enjoy all the good things that belong to men we
enjoy (them).
12. thou who art the possessor of wealth flow
^ Yerses 7 to 9 occur Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 13. 1-3.
Sama Veda, I. 5. 2. 4.1, and II. 1. 1. 8. 1; Yajush, XXYIJ6.
^ This seems to he the meaning of Sayana’s apt clia dyutohe
vidijarndnaifi sioatas. The pada text, which Sayana follows,
takes hJiumyd as two words = hJikmih d, the visarga being elided
in the SailiMta text.
* Sama Yeda, II. 1. 1. 8. 3 ; Yajiish^ XXYI. 18. Mahidhara
takes ena as etzam, ** all these good things^*’ and explains aryah
as somah.
5 Sama Yeda, II. 1. 1. 8. 2 ; Yajur Yeda, XXYI. 2L
280
Eiet-VEDA SAJfHiTl.
for US for tlie adorable Indra for Vaeuna, and the
Maeuts.
13. ^The gods approach Indu, (who is) com-
pletely generated, sent forth by the waters, the
demolisher (of foes), adorned with milk and curds.
14. ^May our praises foster him who wins the
heart of Indea, as cows who have young ones
(foster) their calf.
15. ®SoMA, pour prosperity upon our cattle, milk
forth (for us) nutritious food; augment the laudable
water.
Varga XXI. 16. ‘The pure (Soma) has generated in heaven the
great Vaiswdnara light* like the wonderful thunder.
17. Bright shining Soma, the juice of thee when
thou flowest enters the woollen filter, exhilarating,
free from evil.
18. Purified Soma, thy juice as it increases shines
bright; it (makes) a pervading universal light to
be seen.
19. Plow forth with that juice of thine which
is exhilarating, the best, gratifying the gods, the
slayer of Bdkshasas.
1 Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 1. 1 ; 11. 1. 2. 18. 2, and II. 5. 2. 20. 1.
® Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 20. 2.
® Ibid. II. 5. 2. 20. 3.
‘ Verses 16-18 occur Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 2. 1-3, and verse
16 also at I. 5. 2. 5. 8.
® i.e. Agni, the son of Viiwdnara ; hymns 79 and 80 of the
tenth Ma^d^la are attributed to him as the rishi.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIRST ADHyIya, 281
20. ^Thou art the slayer of the hostile Vritea,
the enjoyer of battle day by day, the giver of kiue
and the giver of horses.
21. ^Be now resplendent, mixed with the sup- vargaxxii
porting (products of the) milch kine, alighting like
a falcon on thy place.
22. ®Flow thou who didst help Indea to slay
the Vritea, who obstructed the great waters.
23. May we, possessed of excellent male off-
spring, conquer the wealth (of our enemies), 0
Soma, the sprinkler; being purified, accept our
praises.
24. Protected by thee, through thy protection
may we be victorious, slaying (our enemies); be
vigilant, Soma, at our sacrifices.
26. ^The Soma flows, slaying the malignant,
slaying the withholders (of wealth), proceeding
to Indea’s consecrated (station).
26. “Bring us, purifier, much wealth: conquer v^ga xxiii
our foes; grant us, Indit, fame and male off-
spring.
27. A hundred foes harm thee, not purposing
' Verses 20 and 21 occur Sama Veda, II. 2. 1. 15. 2 and 3.
® SitpatthahM^ is only explained by Saya^a as iohhano^asthd-
ihi^, “ having a beautiful lap,” i.e. affording a secure seat.
* Sanaa Veda, I. 6. 1. 1. 8.
* Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 2. 14, and II. 5. 1. 7. 1, with agaghnan
pavato in the latter passage.
‘ Verses 26 and 27 occur Sama Veda, II. 5. 1. 7. 2 and 3.
282
EIQ-TEDA SANHITI.
TargaXXIV.
to give vealth when being purified thou art bene-
volently inclined.’
28. ®Thou, Indxt, when effused, the showerer
(of benefits), make us celebrated amongst men: slay
all our enemies.
29. (Enjoying) the friendship of thee here and thy
excellent food, Indtt, may we overcome our assailants.
30. ^With thy weapons which are formidable and
sharp for slaying (the foe), defend us from the scorn
(of our enemies).
StTKTA 11. (LXII.)
The Rishi is Jamadagiti, of the race of BHEiGtr ; the deity and
metre as before.
1. ■‘These rapid Soma juices have been directed
through the filter (to obtain) all good things —
2. Powerful, repelling many evils, bestowing
happiness and riches upon our sons and horses.
^ MahJiasyase is here explained as asmabhymli dhanam datum
icJichhasL Gf. IX. 20. 7, where Say ana explains mahhah as
ddnam*, and IX. 64. 26, where ho explains maklimyuvmn as
dhanaJcdmdm. In 101. 5, malchasyate is explained as stutihMh
piijd^n icJichhatL Sayana’s general explanation of mahhah is
either yajnam or dhanam (or ddnam). In both cases the original
root wonldbeMAGH, ^^great.^’ The meanings ‘‘fight,’' “strire,”
etc., are foreign to Sdyana, being deriyed from a comparison of
fia'x&ofiaiy macto, etc.
* Sama Teda, 1. 5. 2. 5. 3, and II. 2. 1. 2. 1.
* Sama Veda, II. 2. 1. 2. 3.
* Verses 1 to 3 occur Sama Veda, II. 2. 2. 1. 1-3, with slight
yaiiations.
SEYEOTH ASHTAKA — EIEST ADBCTXtA. 283
3. They.adyanee towards our fair praise, granting
to (us and) our cattle sustaining^ wealth and food.
4. ^The mountain-born Soma flows for exhilara-
tion, mighty in the ( VasaUvaH) waters : he alights
like a falcon on his own place.
5. The cattle sweeten with tlieir milk the beauti-
ful food that is asked for by the gods ; the Sovia
when effused by the priests is cleansed in the water.
6. Then the ministering priests in the assembly Varga xxv.
beautify the juice of the exhilarating (^owa) like
a horse, for the sake of immortality.
7. ®Sit down, lunij, on the filter with those
streams the shedders of sweet (juice), which are
let fall for our protection.
8. Passing obli<iuely through the sheep’s hairs,
hasten for Iotjea’s drinking, sitting in thy place
in the wooden vessels.
9. luDU, who art most sweet-flavoured, the be-
stower of riches, drop for the Angirasas butter and
milk.
10. ^This all-seeing Pavamdna Soma deposited
(in the vessels), sending forth abundant (food), the
product of the waters, is known (by all).
* Sayana explains garntfataiu as yad asman tamyaehcJikati, “that
whicli supports us.^’
® Yerses 4 to 6 occur Sama Yeda, II. 3. 2. 16, 1-3; Terse 4
also I. 5. 2. 47.
’ Verses 7 to 9 occur "Bama Yeda, II. 3. 2. 6. 1-3, with
yariations.
‘ Sdma Yeda, I. 6. 1. 2. 12.
Varga XXYI.
Yaiga XXVII.
284 EIG-YEDA SANHiri
11- This Pavamdm Soim, the sprinliler (of
benefits), engaged in sprinkling, the destroyer of
the Rdkshasas, bestovrs riches upon the donor (of
the oblation).
12. Pour forth thousand-fold wealth, together
with cattle and horses, delighthig many, desired
by many.
13. This [Soma) the many-hymned, having wise
designs,^ being cleansed by the priests, is sprinkled
forth.
14. Offering thousand-fold protection, having
hundred-fold wealth, the measurer of the world,
the sage, the exhilarating [Soma) flows for Indra.-
15. Generated and praised by song Indtt at this
sacrifice is deposited in his place for Indra, like
a bird on its nest.
16. The pure Soma effused by the priests rushes
forth as if to battle, to alight vigorously upon the
ladles.
17. They attach him by seven ceremonies to the
three-backed three-benched chariot of the JRishis to
go to the gods.^
^ Say ana’s usual explanation oikavikratuhy nnmQljIardntaprajnai
hrdntaharmo vd^ possessing wisdom or possessing sacred rites,”
would seem to lie an explanation of each, half of the word in
turn: but he sometimes explains havih alone by hrdntah (IX.
64 . 30 ).
* The backs are the three oblations, the benches are the three
Vedas, and the ceremonies are the seven hymns (chhandas).
SETENXH ASHTAKA — FIRST ADHTXYA. 285
18. Effusers of the Soma, urge forward that
wealth-bestowing rapid vigorous steed to go to the
battle.
19. * Entering when effused into the pitcher,
bringing us all success like a hero he stands
amongst the cattle.^
20. The devout priests milk forth thy sweet juice,
Indtt, for the gods for the purpose of exhilaration.
21. Pour upon the filter for us for the sake of
the gods the most sweet-flavoured Soma, most
audible to the gods.
22. ® These lauded Soma juices are let flow for
the sake of abundant food in a stream of the
most exhilarating (juice).
23. Being purified thou hastenest to the treasures
of the kine to enjoy (them); flow forth thou who
grantest food.
24. And hasten for us towards^ all widely re-
nowned food with cattle, being hymned by Jamadagki.
25. Soma, who art most excellent, flow with
thy marvellous protections towards our praises,
towards all hymns (of praise).
^ Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 1. 3. The end reads differentlv, Indur
Indr&ya dhiyate.
® As a hero resolutely stands amongst the enemy’s cattle, so
the Soma resolutely stands amongst the sacrifices.
’ Sama Veda, II, 4. 1.6. 1, with iavase for sravase.
‘ i.e. grant us.
* Verses 25-27 occur Sama Veda, II. 2. 1. 1. i-3, withnfsW-
'/iar»hme for viSwamyaya inverse 26.
286
BIS- VEDA sAjmrrl.
Varga xxix. 26. Agitator of all, do thou who art the most
excellent, raising thy voice, pour forth the waters
of the firmament.
27. 0 sage (Soma) in thy- might do these worlds
stand ; to thee the rivers hasten.^
28. Thy unconnected streams descend like the
rain from heaven upon the white outspread (fleece),
29. Purify for Indba the fierce Indtj, the means
of strength, the lord (of wealth), the giver of riches.
30. The truthful seer, Pavamdna Soma, sits down
upon the filter, giving great energy to the wor-
shipper.
sfeA ni. (Lxm.)
The is NiuHExm, of the race of XiixAPA ; the deity and
metre as before.
Varga xxA. 1. ®Pour (upon us), SoMA, thousand-fold wealth,
with excellent male progeny, secure to us ample
food.
2. Thou who art most exhilarating effusest food
and drink for Indea; thou sittest on the ladles.
3. Soma efi’used for Indea and Yishntj and Yayu
drops into the pitcher ; may he be sweet-flavoured.
4. These swift-flowing tawny -coloured Soma-
juioes, with a stream of water are let loose upon
the RdJeshasas —
^ Le, tliese worlds toiioiir tliee ; the rivers observe tby bidding.
For arshmii sindhmah the Sama Teda has dhamnti dlmmvah,
® Sama Veda, I, 6. 1. 2. 5.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIEST ADHYXTA. 287
6. Augmenting Indea, urging the waters, making
all our acts prosperous,^ destroying the withholders
(of oblations).
6. The ejffused tawny-coloured AS'owza-juices going Varga xxxi.
to Indea hasten to their own place.
7. ^Flow "with that stream with which thou. Soma,
lightest up the sun, urging on the waters beneficial
to man.
8. The purified (Soma) harnesses the horse of
the sun to travel through the firmament to man.
9. And Indd exclaiming “Indea!” harnesses
the (horse of the) sun to go towards these ten
regions.^
10. Sprinkle, worshippers, upon the woollen
fleece the exhilarating [Soma) that has been effused
in all directions for Vatu and for Indea.
11. Purified Soma, grant us wealth unassailable Varga xxxil.
(by our foes), and which cannot be destroyed by
the enemy.
12. Bring to us thousand-fold wealth with cattle
and horses ; bring vigour and food.
13. Soma, like the indiant sun, when effused
flows forth, depositing its juice in the pitcher.
* Sayana “making Soma propitious for the sake of our rites.”
* Verses 7 to 9 occur Sama Veda, II. 5. L 8. 1-3 ; verse 7 also
I. 6. 1. 1. 7.
® Sayana takes tyd harito dasa as acc. after prati implied ia
ydtam. Elsewhere he explains haritah as the horses or rays of
the sun. See I. 50. 8 ; and HA 4
288
EIG-TEDi. SANHITi.
14. These brilliant /Sbjraa-juices (flowing) towards
the dwellings of respectable (worshippers), effuse
food and cattle in a stream of water.
15. The >S(9JW«-juices mixed with curds effused
for Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, flow
through the filter.
16. Soma, pour into the filter to bring us wealth
(thy juice), which is most sweet-flaroured, exhilarat-
ing, and most desired by the gods.
17. The priests cleanse in the ( VasaUvari) waters
the green-tinted powerful exhilarating Indu for
Indea.
18. ^SoMA, pour forth wealth of gold, horses, and
male offspring : bring us food and cattle.
19. Sprinkle upon the woollen fleece for Istdea
the most sweet {8oma\ desiring battle as if in battle.
20. The (worshippers) desiring protection, cleanse
with their fingers the purifiable {Soma) the sage;
with a noise the sprinkler (of benefits) flows forth.
21. The wise (priests) in a stream of water send
forth with their- fingers and with praise the sprinkler
(of benefits), the shedder of water.
22. ^Plow, brilliant (Soma), let thy exhilarating
juice proceed in continuous order to Indea, rise
with thy supporting (juice) to Yatu.
23. Purified Soma, thou squeezest forth the
* Tajur Yeda, YIH. 63.
* Yerses 22-24 occur Sdma Yeda, II. 5. 1. 15. 1-3; verse 22
occurs also ihii* L 5, 2. 5. 7.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIfiST ADHtItA. 289
celebrated ricbes (of the enemy) ; do thou who art
beloved enter the ocean. ^
24. Soma, thou who art exhilarating, flowest
defeating the enemies, .bestowing knowledge (on
us) ; drive off the people who love not the gods
25. ^The brilliant purified ^oma-juices are let
fall amidst all praises.
26. ®The purified ^Sbrna-juices flow swift and Varga xxxv.
bright, destroying all enemies.
27. ^The purified (juices) are poured forth from
heaven and from the firmament upon the summit
of the ground.®
28. Brilliant Soma, do thou, purified in a stream,
achieving great acts, destroy all foes and the
Mdkshasas.
29. Destroying the RdJcshasas, pour forth, Soma,
with a noise, brilliant and excellent vigour.
30. Bestow upon us, Soma, celestial and terrestrial
treasures :• (bestow), Indh, all desirable things.
StJKiA IV. (LXIV.)
The RisM is KaiItapa, of the race of MaeIchi ; deity and metre
as before.
1. ®Thou, Soma; art the bright sprinkler: thou Varga
XXXVI .
^ the pitcher. ^
* Sama Yeda, L 6. 1. 3. 12, and II. 8. 2. 16. 1.
^ Ibid., II. 8. 2. 16. 3. ' ^ lUd. II. 8, 2. 16, 2.
® i,e, the raised place, place of divine sacrifices.
® Sama Yeda, II. 2. 1. 3.\l— 3, with sutah for madah in verse 2 :
verse 1 also occurs I. 6. 1. ^ 8.
VOL. Y.
290
UIG-TliDA SANHITX.
'V’arfra
XXXVII.
shining (Soma) art the sprinkler whose occupation
is sprinkling; thou, the sprinkler, sustainest the
rites (of men and gods).
2. 0 sprinkler, the strength of thee the sprinkler
consists in sprinkling, thy worship consists in
sprinkling, thy juice consists in sprinkling; thou
truly art always the sprinkler.
3. Indu, the sprinkler, thou neighest like a horse ;
thou givest us cattle, thou givest us horses: open
the doors for our wealth.
4. ^The powerful, brilliant, rapid >SWi«-juices are
effused in the hope of obtaining cattle, horses, and
male offspring
5. The (>S'o«<«-juices) beautified by those desirous
of sacrifice, cleansed by their hands, flow through
the woollen fleece.
G. May those >S'c«^«-juicos pour forth for the
offerer (of libations) all the treasures of heaven
and earth and of the firmament.
7. -All-beholding Soma, thy streams as thou art
being purified are sent forth like the rays of the
sun at present.
8. SoMAj thou who art the ocean, bestowing
knowledge, hastenest from heaven to all our various
‘ t$uma Veda, II. 4. 1. 2. 1-3 ; verso 4 also occurs thid. I. 5.
2. 5. 6.
’ Verses 7-9 occur Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 2. 1-3, vith jajiidno
for hiHvdno and krandan for akrdn in verse 9.-
SEVUNTH ASHTASTA — WEST ADHYIyA. 291
forms/ and bestowest (various kinds of wealth on
us).
9. Purified Soma^ when sent forth thou utterest
a cry; (when thy juice) like the sun god passed
through the supporting (filter).
10. ^Indit the enlightener, beloved (of the gods),
flows forth at the praise of the sages ; he lets loose
(his wave) as a charioteer his horse —
11. Thy wave which, devoted to the gods flows xxxviii.
to the filter, alighting upon the place of sacrifice.
12. Indtj, who art exhilarating and most devoted
to the gods, hasten to the filter for Indra to drink.
13. ® Cleansed by the priests, Indxj, flow in a
stream for (our) food; approach the cattle with food.*
14. Green-tinted (Soma) lauded by hymns, being
dropped into the curds and milk and being purified,
bestow wealth and food upon the worshipper.
16. Purified tor the banquet of the gods, go to
Indea’s station radiant, collected together by the
vigorous (worshippers).
^ Say ana do^s not explain furtlier than this : he would have
completed it: ‘‘hastenest (or flowest) from heaveij to bring us
various forms of wealth.”
® Sama Yeda, I. 5. 2. 5. 5.
^ Verses 13-15 occur Sama Veda, II. 2. 2. 4. 1-3, verse 13
also ihld, 1. 6. 1. 2. 9.
* Sayana does not explain how mch, which he derives from
the verb ruch “to shine,” comes to mean food. His usual
interpretation of t,e. “milk and curds,” would be more
appropriate here ; “ with thy brightness approach {t\e. mix 'VP'ith)
the milk.”
292
ltI6-VJfiJ)A SANHITI.
16. The rapid /S'ojwa-juices being sent towards
the firmament/ are ponred forth expressed by the
fingers.
17. The swift ^oma-juices. being cleansed (go to)
the firmament without an effort; they go to the
abode of the water.
18. Soma, who art devoted to us, guard all our
treasures with thy might; protect our home and
offspring.
19. The horse of burden neighs, yoked to the
sacrifice by the priests, when placed in the ocean.^
20. When the swift (Soma) tf kes his place on the
golden seat of sacrifice, he abandons (the sacrifice)
of the foolish man.*
Varga XL. 21. Devoted (worshippers) glorify Soma] the
well-disposed desire to sacrifice; the perverse-
minded sink (into hell).
22. ^Flow, Indxj, for Indra associated with the
Martjts, thou who art most sweet-flavoured, and
take thy seat on the place of the sacrifice.
'■ Samndraih probably means tbe Vasativari waters both bere
and in the following Verse : see Sayana on verse 19.
* Sayana takes yadd) with the first part of the sentence,
“ When the horse of burden neighs, etc., then thou who art the
horse of burden of the sacrifice art placed in the Vasativari
waters.”
’ i.e. he docs not tipproach the sacrifice of those who do not
worship ; he only approaches the sacrifice of worshippers (Sayana).
* Verses 22-24 oc^ur Sama Veda, II. 4. 1. 11. 1-3, with dhar-
nasim for vedhasas (verse 23) ; verse 22 also ibid. I. 5. 2. 4. 6.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — ^FIEST ADHYITA. 293
23. The wise who are the performers of pious
acts, who are acquainted with holy texts, adorn
thee : men purify thee.
24. Mitra, Aryaman, Varuna and the Martjts
drink, sage (Soma), thy juice as thou droppest.
25. Brilliant Soma, when purified thou utterest
a sapient^ speech, feeding thousands.
26. Brilliant Soma, when purified bring (us) a VargaXLi.
voice, feeding thousands and desiring wealth.
27. Inbu, invoked by many, do thou, being
purified and being loved by these thy worshippers,
enter the ocean.
28. ^The bright /Sbraa-juices with their shining
radiance and resounding stream are mixed with the
milk and curds.
29. The powerful Soma urged by the urging
(worshippers) goes collected to the battle® like
warriors entering (the battle-field).
30. Soma, who art a sage mighty and prospering,
approaching flow from heaven for our prosperity
and view.*
' Sayana explains vipasckitam as prajfiayd pavitrdm,
“ cleansing (?) by wisdom.”
‘ Sama Veda, 11. 1. 1.2. 1.
® Metapborically for “ sacrifice.”
‘ Sayana separates siiryah from drUe and explains it swviryah.
His explanation of ridJiak is taken from Yaska lYintHa, IV. 25,
“ridhak is the Vaidik form of prithak and is also used in the
sense of prospering.”
294
EIG-VEDA SANHITl.
ADHTA'YA II.
MANPALA IX. . OoNTiwTJED.
ANUYAKA III. Continued.
S^z-^A. V. (LXY.)
The deity is Soma PavamXna; the Rts/ii is Bhrigtt, the son of
Vaeuna or Jamadagni, of the race of Bhkigtt; the metre is
Gayair'i.
Varga I. 1. ^The kindred fingers diligently operating,
eager to squeeze thee forth, send out the invigorat-
ing, the lord (of all), the mighty Indxj.
2. Filtered Soma, who with reiterated radiance
shinest in the presence of the gods, obtain all boons
(for us).
3. Pour, purified (Som.\), a well-praised shower
for the worship of the gods: (pour) a continual
shower for our food.
4. ^We who perform good works praise thee,
purified Soma, brilliant with radiance, for thou art
the showerer (of benefits).
5. Well-armed ^ (Soma) who dost exhilarate (the
gods), pour forth for us male offspring; come Tndu
favourably to our sacrifice.
^ Verses 1-3, occur Sania Voda, IL 3. 1. 5. 1-3, with s?itah
for pari, verse 2.
® Verses 4-G occur, with inversions and variations, Sama Veda
II, 2. 1.4. 1-3 ; verse 4 also ibid, I. d. 2. 5. 4.
® Or having fine sacrificial implements, the sphja, l-npdia, etc.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA SECOND ADHTXYA. 295
6. When cleansed by the hands thou art sprinkled
with the water, (taken up) with the wooden vessel
thou attainest thy abode.
7. Sing, as Ytaswa did, to the filtered Soma, the
great, the all-beholding —
8. (That Soma) whose juice they squeeze out
with the stones, foe-repelling, honey-dropping,
green-tinted, for Indea to drink —
9. We, who have heaped up oblations, solicit his
friendship, (the friendship) of thee who hast won
all the riches (of the foe).
10. ’‘Flow in a stream, thou who art the showerer
(of benefits) : and (be) exhilarating to the lord of
the Mardts, granting us all (wealth) by thy power.
11. Thee, the supporter of heaven and earth, 0 Vargn ni.
purified (Soma), the beholder of heaven, the power-
ful one, I send forth to battle."
12. Expressed by these flexible ^ fingers (of mine),
do thou who art green-tinted flow forth in a stream ;
excite (Indra) our ally to battle.
13. ^Swift-flowing Soma, who art the illuminator
^ Verses 10-12 occur Sama Veda, II. 2. 1. 10. 1-3; verse 10
also ibid. I. 5. 2. 4. 3.
® Or, I urge thee to grant us food.
^ Sayana says cnjd is from ?*, ''to go/’ and takes vijul in
accordance with Yaidik use as the singular with plural signi-
fication, so that ayd vipa anayd means itasfato yaclichhanfibliir
efdhhir madtydhhir anguVtbJtili,
^ Sama Vocia, IT. 2. 2. 2, 3,
296
EIG-VBDA SANHITX.
of the universe, pour down upon us ahuiylant
food, (and be) to us the revealer of the path (to
heaven).
14. Indtj, they praise the vessels together with
thy streams (who art endowed) with strength ;
enter for Indea’s drinking.
16. Do thou whose sharp exhilarating juice the
priests express with the stones, flow the destroyer
of the evil-minded.
Varga IV. ~16. ^The king (Soma) purified at the sacrifice is
urged by the priests to pass through the firmament.
17. Bring to us, Isroir, for our protection increase
of kine with hundreds of cattle and a gift of
fortune with beautiful horses.
18. (Be) expressed for the banquet of the gods;
bestow on us, Soxa, strength, speed and a form for
brilliance.
19. ^Hasten, Soma, who art most radiant, with
a roar to the wooden vessels; as a hawk flying
to its nest.
20. Soma, the enjoyer of the water, hasten (to
the vessels) for Ixdea, Vayu, Vaeuxa, the Maeuts,
and Yishnu.
Varga V. 21. Bestowing food upon our offspring. Soma,
pour from all quarters thousand-fold (wealth).
‘ Verses 16-18 occur Sama Veda, II. 2. 2. 2. 1-3.
“ Verses 19-21 occur Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 11. 1-3, with eidan
yonau vaneihwd for sidan ehyeno na yonimd. Verse 19 occurs also
ibid. I. 6. 1. 2. 7.
SEVEITTH ASHTAKA — SECOKD ADHTItA. 297
22. ^May those /SioOTa-juices which are effused
at a distance or nigh or on this S'aetastavat ““
(lake), —
23. Or amongst the ^w^kas, or the KjRiiWAS, or
in the neighbourhood of the rivers Saeaswat/, etc.,
or in the five castes,* —
24. May those brilliant /S^)^^^a-juices when ex-
pressed pour down upon us from heaven rain with
male progeny.
25. The delightful green-tinted Soma^ praised by
Jamadagei, urged on the cow-hide flows (to the
vessels).
26. The bright ^c»?Ka-juiees, the dispensers of vargavi.
food,^ being mixed with the curds and milk, are
cleansed in the waters like horses ui-ged (by the
charioteers).
27. The priests who are present send thee forth
at the rites at which thou art effused for the whole
of the gods ; do thou flow with this splendour.
28. ^We have recourse to-day to thy strength,
‘ Terses 22-24 occar Sama Veda, 11. 4. 2. 11. 1-3, with
swam for suvdno.
^ S’aryandvat means possessing sweet juice;” it is the name
of a lake in the western part of the Kurulcshetra country.
® As there are only four castes, Sayana adds the niskddm
(outcasts) to make up the number. See note to 66. 20.
* Because the Soma grants all the boons in the hope of which
the worshipper offers the Soma to the gods.
® Ye^ses 28—30 occur Sama Yeda, II. 4. 2. 2. 10-12 ; verse
2'8 also ibid, L 6. 1. 2. 2.
298
Eie-TEDA SANHITI.
the source of happiaess, the bearer (of good things),
the defender (against foes), the desired of many —
29. The exhilarating, the desirable, the wise, the
intelligent, the defender (of e11), the desired of many.
30. (We have recourse) to thy wealth and in-
telligence for our posterity, O thou to whom fair
sacrifices are ofiei-ed, and to thee the defender (of
all), the desired of many.
SbKTA TI. (LXVI.)
The RisMs are the hundred YAiKnXiN'ASAS the deity of verses
19, 20 and 21 is Ag^'i in the form of PayamIna, of the rest
of the hymn, So:nA PatI^iana; the metre of verse 18 is
AnushtulJi^ of the rest Gdijairi.
1. All-seeing (Soma), who art the adorable friend
(of the worshippers), flow for (us thy) friends towards
all (our) hymns of praise.
2, Thou, purified Soma, rulest the universe by
those two halves ^ (of the lunar month) which stand
facing thee.
^ Sayana explains dlidmani as either purvdclipalcshau^ the first
and second fortnights of the lunar month, the sides or ‘^halves’’
of the month resembling in their increase and decrease the sides
of a creeper, whose leaves alternate (Soma being regarded here
as a creeper), or ndman'i amimmdtmahe^ the two names {amu
and Soma); he adds, ‘‘on earth under the name amSt^ by granting
the desires of all mankind (Soma rules) this world : in heaven by
giving the gods tliy lunar digits thou art the winner of their
aifections. The gods drink the digits of the (moon) Soma by
means of their growth and diminution one by one {i.e, as the
moon waxes and wanes).’’ The word dhdmani probably means
the two abodes (or stations) of the Soma*
SEVB^’TH -ISHTAKA — SECOND ADHYIYA. 299
3. Since thy splendours abound, thou purified
sage Soma art everywhere (associated) with the
seasons.^
4. SosiA, who art a friend, do thou for the sake
of all our desirable (praises) approach generating
food for (us thy) friends for our support.
5. Soma, the shining rays of thee who art ac-
companied by brilliance, spread the purifying
(water) over the surface ^ of heaven.
6. These thy seven rivers® flow. Soma, at thy Varga viii.
command : the milch Mne hasten to thee.
7. Proceed, Soma, in a stream when effused,
giving exhilaration to Ixdea, bestowing (upon us)
inexhaustible food.
8. The seven kindred (priests) ‘ uttering (praises)
and worshipping (the gods with oblations) invoked
thee the sage at the sacrifice with hymns.
9. The fingers cleanse thee in the quickly made ®
loud-sounding (woollen) filter, when with a noise
thou art sprinkled with the water.
^ That is, the Somd whose attributes are the seasons, spring,
etc., exists wherever day and night spread; because day and
night are dependent on the Soma [i.e. thh moon).
® Sayapa Bd.jspruhta means the lower part of heaven, i.e. the
earth.
^ The Ganges, etc.
* Or, the seven kindred rivers (Ganges, etc.) urge thee witli
their fingers, i.e. send thee forth to be cleansed by the Vasat'wari,
and JEkadJiand waters.
’ Or, in the filter which overcomes guilt.
300
EIG-VBDA SANHITi.
10. ^Sage Soma, possessor of food, thy food-
desiring streams when thou art filtered are let
loose like horses.
Varga IX. 11. They are let loose in the woollen filter (to
go) towards the honey-dropping vessel ; our fingers
have desired them.*
12. The /S'i9»2«-juices go to the ocean,® as milch
kine to their stall ; they go to the place of sacrifice.
13. Indu, the flowing waters hasten to our great
sacrifices when thou art mixed with the curds and
milk.
14. Indu, we abiding in thy friendship, desiring
to sacrifice, depending on thy protection, desire
thy friendship.
15. Flow, Soma, for the mighty cattle-seeker, the
beholder of men, enter Im)ea’s belly.
Varga X. 16. SoMiA, thou art great, most worthy to be
praised ; Indit, (thou art) the most vigorous of the
mighty ; engaged in battle thou ever triumphest.
17. (Thou) who (art) mightier than the mighty,
braver than the brave, more generous than the
generous —
18. Thou, Soma, who art a hero, (bestow) upon
(us) food, (be) the giver of sons (to us) ; we choose
thee for thy friendship, (we choose thee) for thy
alliance.
^ Verses 10 to 12 occur Sama Veda, II. 1. 1. 3. 1-3.
* i.e. our fingers desire the Soma juices in order to cleanse
them again and again.
8 The wooden yessel in which the Soma is collected.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — SECOND AHHTItA. 30l
19. ^Agni, thou supportest our lives, send us
nutriment and food, drive far off the Rdkshasas.
20. ®Agni, the all-beholding, who is in the form
of the Pavamana, the benefactor of the five orders,
the precede!’ at sacrifices: him we solicit, who is
hymned by the groat.
21. ®Agni, who art the doer of good, pour upon Varga
us brightness and fair offspring ; may he make me
wealth and plenty.
22. The purified (Soma) hastens past the adver-
saries towards the fair praise of the worshippers,
visible to all like the sun.
23. Eepeatedly purified by the priests, Indtj,
abounding with food, placed for food, the beholder
of all continually goes (to the gods).^
24. The purified (Soma) generated the veracious
all-pervading bright-shining light, destroying the
black darkness.
25. ®The gladsome swift-moving streams of the
‘ SamaVeda, II. 6. 3. 10. 3; II. 7. 1. 12. 1.
® Ihid. II. 7. 1. 12. 2. The five orders are either (1) the four
castes and the outcasts ; (2) the Gandharvas, Fitris, gods, Asuras,
and FdhJmsas; or (8) the gods, mankind, Gandharvas and
Ajpsarasas, serpents, and Fitris.
’ Sama Veda, II. 7. 1. 12. 3.
‘ This is Sayana’s explanation of atyah (devdn santatam gantd
Vhavati).
® Versos 25-27 occur Sama Veda, II. 5.2. 11. 1, with jighnato
tot janghnato and vyadnuM for vyasnavad.
302 EIG-VEDA SANHliiC,
purified, greea-tinted, unfadingly radiant {8onia\
the destroyer (of darkness), have been let forth.
Varga XII. 26. The purified {Soma), possessing many chariots,
most radiant with beauteous splendours, having
green-tinted streams, attended by the Maruts —
27. May the purified Soma, the most liberal dis-
penser of food, pervade (the world) with his rays,
granting excellent male offspring to the worshipper.
28. Iotu when effused drops through the fleecy
filter (into the vessel) ; being filtered Indu (enters)
into Tstdra.
29. This Soma sports with the stones upon the
cowhide, calling Indea for exhilaration.^
30. Purified {Soma), bless us with long life by
means of that thy nutritious milk which has been
brought from heaven.
SAeta TII. (LXYII.)
The Rishi of verses 1 to 3 is BsAEAPwiTA of the race of
Erihaspati, of verses 4 to 6 KaIxapa of the race of MAEfcm,
of verses 7 to 9 Gotama of the race of IIahtJgaka, of verses
10 to 12 Atki Bbcaxtma, of verses 13 to 15 Yi^vtImitra son of
GIthik, of verses 16 to 18 Jamadagni son of Bheigtt, of
verses 19 to 21 Yasishtha son of Mitea and Yarttsta, of verses
22 to 32 Pavitra son of Aitgiras or Yasishtha or both ; the
deity of verses 10 to 12 is PavamIna P^shah or PavamXka
Soma, of verses 23 and 24 PavamIha Aghi, of verse 25
PavamXha Aghi or PavamIha Savitri, of verse 26 P. Aghi
or P. Agist and P. Savitri together, of verse 27 P. Aghi or
^ That is, then the priests by means of the Soma perform
Indra^s praise.
SEVENTH AJSHTAKA. — SECOND ADHYXTA, 303
all the gods, of verses 31 and 32 PAVAMlmrlDEnrETEisinxi
(becanse they are in praise of the students of the IXth or
PATAMiiTA Maitdada), the deity of the rest is PatamIita So3ia.
The metre is Gayabri, except verses 16 to 18, whioh are
Dtoipadd Gdyatri, verses 27, 31 and 32, ■which are Anuthtuhli,
and verse 30, which is Purailshnik}
1 . *Thou, Soma, -who art most exhilarating, most Varga xiii.
po veerful, art disposed to shed thy stream at our -
sacrifice; flow then thou who art the giver of
riches.
2. *Thou who art the exhilarator of the priests,
bestowing (wealth upon them) and intelligent, do
thou when effused together with food be the especial
cause of exhilaration to Indra.
3. Bo thou when effused by the stones proceed
resounding (to the vessel) : (grant) bright excellent
strength.
4. Indtj effused (by the stones) passes through
the woollen filter ; green-tinted he roars forth food.
5. Indtj, thou hastenest through the fleece, thou
grantfest us food and wealth; (therefore grant us),
SoNla, strength of flocks.
6. Indtj, Soma, bring us thousand-fold wealth, vaigaxiv.
consisting of hundreds of cows, having excellent
cows and horses.
^ SAyana mixes up the metre Pwipadd G&yOrk. with the
ieities, and takes no notice of the metre of the rest of the hymn.
* Sama Yeda, 11. 5. 2. 16. 1.
’ IliA. n. 5. 2. 16. 2, except the last part and manii-
tamo for nrimddano.
304
KIG-TEDA SANiiITi.
Varga XV.
7. The purified swift-flowing >S'(!)j?z«-juices passing
through the filter reach Indea by their own paths.
8. The excellent juice of the Soma dropping (into
the vessels) poured forth by men of old, the goer
(to Indea), is filtered for Ixdea the goer.
9. The fingers express the purified honey-dropping
heroic* Soma: (the worshippers) hail him with praise.
10. May the goat-borne PTJsH.iX in all his paths*
be our protector : may he bestow maidens on us.
11. This Soma flows to PtfsHAX, who wears a
beautiful tiara ^ like exhilarating ghee; may he
bestow maidens on us.
12. This Soma poured forth for thee, shining
(PrJsHAx) flows like pure ghee: may he bestow
maidens on us.
13. Soma, generator of the praises of the wise,*
flow in a stream ; thou art the dispenser of treasure
among the gods.
14. Ho hastens to the vessels as a falcon enters
its nest, and enters the wooden (vessels) with a cry.
15. Thy juice. Soma, spreads around when effused
into the vessel as a swift falcon rushes along.
^ Ibid. II. 5. 2. 16. 3. with abliara for uttaniam.
* Le, the instigator of everybody’s good actions (sacrifice, etc.).
^ Or, in this sacrifice,” ydman^yajna because it is reached,
t.tf. obtained by the gods.
* Sayana explains as it probably
mepns having hair braided like a cowrie shell {ha^arda),
* Or, ** In the midst of the wise, it is thou who dost generate
spcccli.”
SBTENTH ASHTAEA — SECOND ADHTITA. 305
16. ’Flow, Soma, who art most sweet-flavoured, Varga xvi.
giving exhilaration to Indea.
17. (The >Sb»?ffl-juices) are let loose for the banquet
of the gods like chariots desiring the wealth (of the
enemy).
18. These effused (^owia-juices), brilliant and
extremely exhilarating, are let forth for Vatu.^
19. Bruised with the stones and effused (by the
worshippers) thou, Soma, enterest the filter, bestow-
ing upon thy praiser (wealth), accompanied with
excellent male offspring.
20. This (Soma), bruised (with the stones), and
praised by (all), the slayer of Rdkshasas, plunges
through the woollen filter (into the vessel).
21. Whatever fear seizes me, near, afar off, or VargaXVii.
here, purified (Soma) dispel that (fear).
22. ®May that purified Soma, the beholder of all,
who is the purifier, purify us now by his purifying
(might.)
23. ^Purify, Agni, our divine® (body) with thy
purifying (light), which, is diffused in the midst of
the light.
^ Verses 16-18 occur (with order inverted) Sanaa Veda, II. 9.
1. 17. 1-3, with m^akldtah for madintamah in verse 18.
- Or, utter a sound {vdyum^ hhdam).
3 Yajur Veda, XIX. 42.
* lUd. XIX. 41.
^ “Divine,’’ because it causes increase, viz. sons, etc. The
light is the light of the sun, lightning, etc.
YOL, V.
X
306
BIG-VEDA SANHITA.
24. Purify us, Aesn, with thy purifying (light)
which possesses the light; purify us with the
effusions of the Soma.
25. * Shining (Soma), urger of all things, purify
me by both, by thy purifying (light) and by the
effusion (of the Soma) ; purify mo in every way.
Vurga xrai. 26. Purify us, shining Agni Pavamaba, urger of
all things, with thy three most mighty powerful
forms.^
27. May the worshippers* purify me, may the
Vasus purify (me) by their acts ; purify me, all ye
gods, (Agot) the intelligent purify me.
28. Soma, nourish (us), pour forth for the gods
with all thy juices the most excellent oblation.
29. Let us approach bearing the beloved loud-
sounding youthful oblation fostered by our offerings.
30. May the battle-axe* of the foe destroy the
foe alone: flow to us, bright Soma; (slay) the
villain only, bright Soma.
31. ’He who reads the hymns to Pavamana, the
» Tajur Veda, XIX. 43.
* i,e, fire, wind, and sun.
® Or the troop of gods, Indra^ etc.
* Sayana explains paramh as cliliedahah paoamdmh^ as if Soma
wore metaphorically called a battle-axe and implored to turn his
edge against foes only {tarn era kitnm ndsaijatu).
* Verses 31 and 32 occur Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 8. 1, 2. Sa-
yaigia says MdtarUwan means Vdyu because it breathes in the
atmosphere antarihshe swasiti : the food is sweetened and purified
by the purifying wind and the man eats it.
SEVENTH ASHTAHA — SECOND ADHYItA. 307
essence (of the Veda) collected by the Jdishis, enjoys
all (his food) purified, sweetened hy Mataeiswan.
32. For him who reads the hymns to Payaicana,
the essence (of the Veda) collected by the JRishis,
SAEASWATf milks milk, ghee, and exhilarating Soma}
AOTVA'KA
ADHTAYA IL Coutinxjed.
StsxA. 1.^ (LXVIII.)
The deity is Soma PavamIka ; the JRtsM Yatasapki the son of
Bhalamdana ; the metre of verses 1 to 9 is Jagati, of verse
10 TruhtulTi.
1. ^The exhilarating /Sbma-juices fiow towards Varga xix.
the shining (Indea), as milch kine (hasten to their
calves) : the lowing kine sitting on the harhis grass
hold in their udders the pure (juice) welling up.
2. He with a noise reechoes the principal
(praises) : separating the growing herbs, the green-
tinted [Soma) sweetens them ; passing through the
filter, (he exerts) great speed, he annihilates the
Bdkshasas, the shining (Soma) bestows wealth (upon
the worshippers).
^ Here follows a Mila of 19 verses in praise of the Favamdna
hymns, evidently of more modern date (as indeed are verses 81
and 32 above). The sins to be expiated by the Pavamana hymns,
according to the author of the Mila, e,g. killing cows and Brah-
mans having intercourse with Bu^a women, point to a later and
more developed civilization.
2 Sama Ycda, T. 6, 2, 2. 10.
308
RIS-VEDA SANHITX.
3. The exhilarating {Soma) who constructed the
twin united (heaven and earth) doth by means of
his juice maintain them growing together, im-
perishable: he has distinguished these two great
unbounded worlds, wandering everywhere, he has
assumed imperishable strength.
4. The wise [Soma) wandering through the two
worlds, sending forth the waters, fattens his station^
with food: the /Sbwa-juice collected by the priests
is mixed with the barley: it is united by the
fingers : it protects the head.^
5. The sage {Soma) is born with developed mind ;
having his place in the womb of the water, he is
deposited (by the gods) by rule from far off:® even
when young these two were distinct ; the birth (of
one half) was placed in secret, the (other) half was
visible.
Varga XX. 6. The wise (worshippers) know the form of the
exhilarating >8oma-juice, the food that the falcon
brought from far;^ they cleanse in the waters the
^ i,e, the uttara vedi, the northern altar,
* Sayana’s explanation of iirah^ viz. iirnam IMtajdtam (the
withered world ?), needs explaining more than the original itself.
® Sayana thinks that this refers to the fact that rain is caused
by the sun, with which Soma is here identified. The last part
of the verse refers to the sun, which appears in the daytime,
and the moon, which appears at night.
^ Sayana says a bird in the form of Qdyatrh, brought it from
heaven.
SEVENTH ASHTVEA — SECOND ADHYXYA. 309
fostering (Soma) delighting (the gods), flowing
around, and deserving laudation.
7. The ten fingers cleanse thee, Soha, when
effused and placed in the vessels by the JRishis,
with praises, i-eligious ' rites, and woollen filters ;
and collected by the jn-iests with oblations to the
gods thou bestowest food (upon the worshippers)
for a gift.
8. Intelligent praises celebrate the wide-flowing
(god)-delighting Soma who sits in good company,
who exhilarating (Mis) in a stream with his water
from the sky (and) wealth-conq^uering, immortal,
sends out his voice.
9. This Soma sends from heaven all water ; being
filtered he settles in the vessels ; effused with the
stones he is cleansed with water and milk; the
filtei’ed Indtj bestows delightful wealth.
10. Soma offering (wealth) as soon as thou art
sprinkled (with the water and milk), pour various
kinds of food (upon us) ; let us invoke the friendly
heaven and earth: do ye, 0 gods, grant us wealth
with excellent male offspring.
StJKTA II. (LXIX.)
The Rishi is HiEAJTTASXtiPA son of AirerEAs; deity as before;
metre of verses 1 to 8 Tajati, of verses 9 and 10 Tfishfuhli.
1. (Our) praise is attached (to Indea) as an Varga xxr.
arrow to the bow ; (the /Sb?no-juice) is let loose
310
KIQ-TEDA SANHItI.
to (ImDKA) the fosterer’ as a calf to the udder of
its mother ; (Indea sheds blessings) as a cow having
a copious stream of milk yields it when coming
into the presence (of the calf) ; in Indra’s sacrifices
the Soma is stimulated.
2. ““The praise is united (to Ixdra); the ex-
cellent (Soma) is sprinkled : (the So)m stream)
emitting pleasant juice is driven into (Istdra’s)
mouth: the filtered diffused® exhilarating swift-
flowing (Soma) hastens to the fleece like the arrow®
of the combatants.
3. (Soma) seeking his spouse^ is filtered in the
sheep-skin; he separates his granddaughters® on
the earth for the sacrificer : green-tinted, adorable,
collected (in the ladles), exhilarating, he overcomes
(his foes); sharpening his vigour he shines like
one of might.
’ Sayana takes ■krdhani twice over : he says it is used of Indra
because he is the nouxisher of everything.
® Sama Veda, II. 6. 1. 9. 2, with mnwatdm for praghnatdm.
® Sayana takes santanih twice over; first as an adjective
agreeing w^ith soma^ understood, “diffused in the ladles,” etc.,
and second, as a noun, “the arrow discharged (by the foe).”
* i.e. the Fdsativari waters together with the Meadhand waters.
® i.e. the herbs. I/ap{ih = naptri^, which, according to Sa-
yana, means the fourth generation. Prajdpati begets the gods :
the gods beget the rain ; the rain begets the herbs. Or it means
simply the offspring of Soma ; Soma nourishes the herbs with
his rays. Soma “ separates ” the herbs at the lip to make them
fruitful. Sayapa takes fifain gate as yajnafh gaclielihate, i.e.
yajamdndya.
SETEKTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHTIyA. 311
4. ‘The hull lows, the cows flock around him:
the divine (praises) gather round the station of the
radiant {Soma):^ Soma passes through the white
sheep-skin; he clothes himself with it as it were
burnished armour.
5. The immortal green-tinted Soma when purified
is arranged in an uncleansed shining vestment;®
he has created (Aditya) who stands on the back of
the sky for the destruction (of sin) and purification,
(and has created) Aditya’s brilliance,^ the cover of
the two worlds.
6. ®The rushing exhilarating foe-slaying /Somw- V arga xxn.
juices when let loose flow together round the ex-
tended cloth like the sun’s rays: they flow to no
other person except Indra.
7. The exhilarating (^om«-juices) poured forth
by the sprinklers ® effect their way to IndbjV as in
a waterfall of a river the pervading (waters find
* Sanaa Yeda, II. 6. 1. 9. 3.
* Sayana sa} s the first half of this verse recounts the praise of
Soma I Soma at the time of entering the wooden vessels makes
a noise ; the cows, Le. the propitiating hymns of praise, gather
round him : the hymns of praise approach the god’s station.
® the milk.
* Sayana explains nalliasmayam as ddityamayam ddityasya
swahhutarJi tejas,
® Sama Yeda, II. 6, 1. 9. 1, vriiih p'aautah for prampah
® Or praised by the priests who give the SomaJ^
312
R.IG-VEDA SANHITl.
their way) to dry ground; bless on our return^
our two-footed and four-footed things; -may food
and offspring ever abide with us.
8. Pour upon us (wealth), comprising treasure,
gold, horses, cattle, barley, and excellent male off-
spring ; you. Soma, are ^ my progenitors, the chiefs
of heaven, placed (for sacrifices), the offerers of
oblation.
9. These filtered >S'o;«a-juiees advance to Imdra
worthy of honour, as (Indra’s) chariots advance
to battle;® expressed (with the stones) they pass
through the w'oollen filter, casting off infirmity*
the horses go towards the rain.
10. Ixnr, who dost make (men) very happy, the
blameless one, the destroyer of foes, flow for mighty
' Sayana explains niveie as sivagrilmn prati pravekam nirga-
mane va^ “on our entering our home or leaving it;’’ dwipade
and chatmlipade are datives from °’pad, not locatives from ^-pada,
and are dependent on saifu
" Soma is treated as plural by attraction ; or, as Sayana puts
it, the plurality of the pifris is applied to Soma.
® Sayapa takes sdtim twice over : first as epithet of Indra,
sarvaih samlhajanhjam^ second as meaning “battle,” from sOy
“ to kill.”
^ Casting off the infirmity that pervades all their limbs,
becoming youthful ; vavri from vriy that which covers the body.
S%ana further explains liar It ak as “beroming the horses that
bear the Sun;” cf. Kig-veda, I. 115. 4, wheie harifa^ is ex-
plained as “the sun’s horses or the rays which take up the
moisture.”
SEVEIfTH ASHXAKA — SECOND ADHYItA. 313
Indea; bring to (me) thy worshipper gratifying
riches; heaven and earth, protect ns with anspicious
(riches).
Si5kta I'll. (LXX.)
The Rkhi is Eeku son of YiswImitra; deity as before; metre
of verses 1 t(f 9 Jagati^ of verse 10 TruliHilh.
li ^For him in the ancient sacrifice thrice seven Varga xxiil.
milch kine ^ milk forth the right mixture ; he makes
four other beautiful waters for purification when
he is nourished with the sacrifices.
2. ^He being solicited for auspicious ambrosia
opens * both heaven and earth by his intelligence ;
he covers the lustrous waters with his greatness,
vhen (the priests) with the oblation recognize the
station of the radiant [Soma).
3. ®May those, his immortal, inviolable rays
protect both classes of beings,'® wherewith he
^ Saraa Yeda, I. 6. 2. 2. 7 ; Hid. II. 6. 2. 17. 1 ; "with
duduhrire for dudichre and ^arame for
^ These may be literally meant or may signify the 12 months,
the 5 seasons, the 3 worlds a-nd the sun. The four waters
are the Vmativari waters and the three Ehadhand waters.
® Sama Yeda, II. 6. 2. 17. 2, with hhahsliamdno,
* L$. Ms them wdth w^ater. ® Sama Yeda, II. 6. 2, 17. 3.
* Sayana applies this to the moveable and stationary or
animate and inanimate creation : the rest of the verse would
seem to show that it means rather men and gods, Sayana
adds, “ the Soma fertilizes the plants at the sacrifice, and
streams of men flow fortli,” the plants being part of the
stationary {stMvara) creation, and men belonging to the move-
able (Jangama).
Varga XXIV.
314 BIG-VEDA SANHIxi.
stimulates human (strength) and divine (food);
thereupon praises reach the royal (^Sonia).
4. Cleansed by the ten well-working (fingers),
the companion (of the waters) stands amongst the
midmost mothers^ to measure (the worlds); the
beholder of men protecting sacred rites (for the
sake) of auspicious ambrosia looks after both
races/
5. Being filtered for Inbea’s world-supporting
strength,® stationed in the midst of both worlds he
goes (everywhere) ; the showerer destroys the evil-
minded by his vigour, challenging the Asuras^ like
an archer.
6. He repeatedly beholding his parents (heaven
and earth) proceeds with a loud noise, like cows
(looking at their calves and lowing), and with a
^ Mdtrishu is not explained ; madhyamdsu is said to mean
placed in the atmosphere/*
* Here Sayana correctly takes the words as referring to gods
and men, and adds, ‘^men by granting them their desires,
gods by bestowing oblations upon them.”
® See note on IX. 86. 3.
* Sayana explains durudJiah as iucM rundhati pardn^ which
would seem to mean ‘‘ they avert pain from others,” and con-
tinues, du^la-Mrino hurduy which seems quite inconsistent.
Adedimnafy properly means aiming at.” SWyahd is ex-
plained as kamnasddliamir ishubir Jmntd virah. On VI. 16,
89, Sayana gives force to both meanings, ^arya an enemy **
and iaryd ‘‘an arrow,” by explaining the word as vdmihk
iatrkndm hmtd.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHTIYA. 315
roar (like the troop) of Marttts; knowing that
water to be the best which is good for all men, the
intelligent ( Pavcmdna) chose man to be the offerer
of his praise.
7. The formidable showerer, the contemplator of
all, through desire for strength roars, sharpening
his green- tinted horns the Soma settles on his
well-prepared station ; the cowhide is his cleanser
and the sheepskin (too).
8. Brilliant, cleansing his sinless^ body, the green-
tinted {Soma) is placed on the high-placed fleece;
snfdcient for Mitea, Yardna, and Vayu the ex-
hilarating {Soma) mixed with the three ingredients®
is prepared by the performers of good rites.
9. Flow Soma, the showerer, for the banquet of
the gods; enter the Soma- vessel dear to Indra;
bring us safe past the hostile {Rdlcshasas) before
they oppress us; for he who knows the country
tells the direction to him who asks (the way).^
10. Hasten (to the vessel) as a horse when urged
(hastens) to the battle; flow Indd into Indra’s
belly ; all-knowing (Soma) bear us (safe) across,® as
^ Le, the streams of the Soma juice.
^ Or motionless, i.e, placed in the vessel.
^ Water, curds, and milk.
^ Say ana completes the simile : as by telling him he pro-
tects (helps) him, so do thou who knowest the roads of the
sacrifice protect us by telling us the sacrificial paths.”
® across dangers or evil spirits fduritdnyatitya pdrayaj.
316
EI6-VEDA SANHItI.
(boatmen bear people) across a river in a boat,
fighting like a hero, defend ns from the reviling (of
the foe),
StJKTA IV. (LXXI.)
The RisU is Eishabha son of Yi^wAmitea ; the deity is the
same as before ; the metre of verses 1 to 8 is Jagatz, of verse
9 Truhtuhh,
fatgA XXV. 1. The donation is given ; the vigorous (Soma)
enters his resting-place, and, vigilant, guards (his
worshippers) against the malignant Rdkshmas ; the
green-tinted {Soma) produces the all-sustaining water
of the sun;^ (he places) the mighty sun* to cover
the two worlds, to purify (created things).
2. The powerful {Soma) advances with a roar
like a slayer of men; he puts forth that Asura-
slaying tint* of his; he abandons bodily infirmity;
the food^ goes to the prepared (altar); he assumes
a form advancing to the outstretched (filter).
3. Expressed with the stones by the hands (the
Soma) flows; he moves like a bull; (worshipped)
^ Or, taking mlJiah as aconsative and pay ah as genitive, ‘‘ the
firmament the supporter of the water/^
* Brahma is explained as ^Mhe mighty uplifted one that
destroys darkness or the supreme sun’^ {parivridha^if as if
deriving "brahma from vrifnh or IrMi),
^ i,e. green ; or varnam means ‘‘ protecting strength.”
^ Le. the Soma: pituh means juice” or '^food.” Sayana
explains tand at the end of the verse as *‘in the biter out-
stretched by the sheepskin,” as if it were a participle passive
of tan in the locative.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHTIyA. 317
with praise he wanders through the firmament ; he
rejoices, he is embraced; (praised) with a hymn
he fulfils (the desire of the worshippers), he is
cleansed in the waters, he is honoured at the (god)-
protected (sacrifice).^
4. The powerful exhilarating ^Sbma-juices be-
sprinkle Indra who dwells in heaven, the aug-
menter of the clouds,^ the destroyer of the dwelling
(of the foe); in whom,® on account of his great-
nesses, the cows, the eaters of the oblations, mix
the best (of their milk contained) in the uplifted
udder.
5. The ten fingers of the arms urge him near to
the ground (of the sacrificial altar) like a chariot ;
he goes (to the vessels), he approaches the concealed
(milk) of the cow when the praisers produce his
resting-place.
6. The shining (Soma) approaches the golden.Varga xxvi.
seat, the station constructed by his holy rites, as
a falcon (approaches) his nest; (the worshippers)
send the well-beloved by their praise to the sacred
* Or, at tlie sacrifice wbicli nourishes the gods by bestowing
oblations on them.
“ Or, mountains.
® Indra is here regarded as Sotua Fammdna. The word
mrimahlnh at end of verse is explained urutwair nialiaitwaih ;
but it is dijBdoult to see to what Say ana thinks it refers. As
he regards it as an abstract noun, it cannot be taken with
§rin,mti as that with which the cows mix their milk.
318
TliG-VEDA SANHITi.
V ar»?a
XXVI I.
grass ; the adorafcio Soma proceeds to the gods like
a horse.
7. Eadiant, wise, flowing in separate streams, (the
Soma descends) from the firmament ; the showerer
offered at the three libations responds to the praises
(of the worshippers) ; led in a thousand directions,
coming and going, he shines at many a sunrise
like one who sings praises (to the gods).
8. His ray ‘ creates a shining form ; at whatever
battle it is present, it heats down the adversaries ;
the giver of water goes with the oblation to the
divine people, (it meets) with good praise: [Soma)
is joined by (a hymn) demanding kine as the
chief boon.
9. Like a hull approaching the herds [Soma)
roars (as he approaches the praises): he appro-
priates the lustre of the sun; celestial, flying
gracefully ^ he looks down upon the earth ; by his
wisdom Soma contemplates mankind.
StoA V. (LXXII.)
The Rislii is Haeimanta of the race of Angieas; the metre is
Jagati,
1. They cleanse the green-tinted {Soma): is
harnessed like a swift horse ; the Soma is combined
' Saj'inia derives varna from vriy in the sense of keeping
ufl’, healing hack, ‘‘his ray repelling his foes.’’ Compare verse 2.
- Supurnah propcily means a hawk: Say ana takes it ety-
mologictdly, siqmtanahy and adds, “ going gracefully, because
it is carried off by Gayairi in the shape of a hawk.”
SJiyENTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHYITA. 319
in the pitcher with the products of the kine. He
utters a sound, (the worshippers) send forth praise ;
how many (boons) abundantly delighting^ the
utterer of many praises (doth Soma bestow).
2. Many wise men utter praise together, when
they have milked the Soma into Indea’s belly,^
when fair-armed men cleanse the delightful ex-
hilarating juice with their ten united® (fingers).
3. Unceasing the Soma goes to mix with the
products of the kine ; he utters a cry dear to the
daughter of the sun.* The praiser ® brings delight
to him ; he is united to the two kindred sisters
(the hands).
4. Shaken by the men, expressed by the stones,
the delighter (of the gods), the lord of cattle,
ancient, distilling (in the vessels), born in due
season, (the Soma is placed) on the sacred grass; in-
telligent, the material of the sacrifice of man, pure,
the Soma flows for thee, Indba, of his own accord.
^ Sa 3 ’'ana explains paripriyah as paritah prinayitrmi, taking
it witk dhandni, implied in Jcati chit. It is, kowever, more
probably, the nominative (plural masc.).
* is, the dronakalaia,
3 sanilabhih, lit. having one nest ’’ {nida), Sayana does
not explain it here, but elsewhere paraphrases santla by
samdmsthdna^ sdmananivdsa, etc.
* i.e, the dawn ; because, as Sayana says, at that time the
noise of the ejffusioh of the Soma is great.
® Sayana explains mnamgrimh as Tcmnaniyam stofram grihud-
tUi, Naigh. II. 4 gives the meaning arm.”
320
BIO-YEDA SANHITI.
5. Ui’ged by the arms of men, poured forth in
a stream the Soma flows for thee, Indea, for
strength ; ^ thou accomplishest the rites, thou
overcomest enemies ^ at the sacrifice ; tbe green-
tinted Soma rests upon the cups like a bird perch-
ing on a tree.
6. The seers, the experienced performers of holy
acts, milk forth the seer, the loud-sounding iin-
decaying Soma ; the regenerated cattle and the
praises combined repair to him at the place of birth
of the sacrifice.*
7. The supporter of the vast heaven, (placed)
upon the navel of the earth, moistened amongst
the rivers in the wave of the waters, the thunder-
bolt of Indea, the showerer (of benefits), the
possessor of wealth. Soma auspiciously exhilarating
distils into (Indra’s) heart.
8. Performer of good deeds, flow quickly round the
terrestrial region, giving (riches) to the worshipper
and the shaker (of the libation);^ do not deprive
us of the wealth that enriches our dwellings ; may
we be invested with abundant wealth of divers
kinds.
^ Or for tlie sake of food
^ Sayana explains matih as ahhimdndn htrun,
* t.e. tke northern altar.
* AihktmaU means making the ddJidvana (shaking) with
the three filaments of the Soma, after the Addlhja libation.
Sayana refers to a sdtra of Apmtamba,
SE7ENTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHYIYA. 321
9. 0 Indd, bring us quickly (wealth) with a
hundred gifts, with horses, with a thousand gifts,
with cattle and with gold; measure unto us
abundant riches and food; come, purified one, to"
(hear) our praise.
StJKTA TI. (LXXIII.)
The MisM is Pavitba of the race of Angieas ; deity and metre
as before.
1. (The streams) of the dripping effused [Soma) xxix
sound together on the jaw (of the sacrifice),^ the
Soma juices flow together to the place of sacrifice.
The powerful [Soma) has made the three exalted
worlds for the use (of men and gods) ; the ships ®
of the truthful (Soma) satisfy the pious worshipper.
2. The mighty (priests) assembled together send
forth (the Soma) together; desirous (of heaven)
they drive it to the wave of the river ; generating
praise they nourish the precious body of Indba
with the streams of the exhilarating Soma.
3. (The rays of the Soma) having the means of
purification sit round the voice (of the firmament),*
' Sayana explains sraUve as the plank of the Soma press
(adhiskavana phalaka), which is the jaw of the sacrifice.
’ i.e. the four pots for the Aditya, Agrayana, Ukthy0 and
Dhruva libations.
® Sayana takes lAcham as the voice of the firmament (or
middle world) residing in the Soma, and cites : “ Soma standeth
in the firmament ; the king Soma sitteth amongst the Gan~
dharvas.” The Toice of the fitmament means, xipparently,
TOL. V. T
322
9,IG-TEDA SANHITI.
their ancient father protects their (light-giving)
work; Soma the all-envelopper has overspread the
mighty firmament (with them) ; the skilful (priests^
are able to conduct (the Soma) to the all-sustaining
(waters).
4. (The Soma rays) in the firmament of a thou-
sand streams (unite with the earth) below; in the
summit of heaven, sweet-tongued, in separate
drops, his rays,^ swiftly moving, never shut their
eyes;^ fixed each in his place, they are the
molesters (of sinners).®
5. (The rays) which were manifested in heaven
and earth, illumined by the hymn (of praise),
consuming the impious (saerificers), drive away
by their wisdom from earth and heaven the black-
skinned (Bdkshasas) hated by Indea.
Varga XXX. 6. (The rays) which regulating praise and pur-
posing celerity were manifested from the anckht
thunder, and the rays of the Soma refer either to the moon
or to the Soma juices identified with the rain.
' Say ana explains sjpaiah as sdrabhutd rasmayah^ hut the
ordinary meaning of spies ” or warders ” would make better
sense.
Say ana adds : but always keep watch to know the evil
and the good, or always keep on the alert as kings do to
guard against enemies.’’
^ Eather, ^‘in every place there are barriers strewn with
snares ” (to keep off and catch the wicked or the Eakshasas),
or ‘^prisons filled with fetters.” Cf. YII. 4. 10, and IX.
41 . %
SEVENTH ASHT-IKA — SECOND ADHTITA. 323
firmament, them the felind and deaf’ avoid; the
wicked traverse not the path of truth.
7. The intelligent sages extol the voice (of the
firmament) in the purifying extended (Soma) with
its thousand streams; the Rudras are their servants,^
swift-moving, inviolable, reverend, of goodly aspect,
the beholders of men.
8. (Soma) the protector of the sacrifice, the doer
of good deeds cannot be resisted ; he places in his
heart® the three purifiers; he the all-wuse looks
over all worlds ; he censures those who are hostile
in action, who sacrifice not.
9. The thread of the sacrifice spread over the
filter extends by its act to the tip of Vaeuna’s
tongue ; * the wise approaching reached it ; ® but
he who is incompetent for the rite sinks (to hell)
even in this world.
' Sayana explains this as spiritually blind and deaf — “ those
who do not see good objects — those who do not hear the jjraise
of the gods.”
“ This seems to be the meaning ascribed by Sayana to S2)ahh.,
viz. vachd vasimh (obedient voices).
“ i.e. combines in himself; the three purifiers are Agni,
Vdyu, and the sun.
^ i,e. the Vasatlvari waters, which are on the tip of Vai un'i's
tongue.
® “ It ” refers to the tip of Vurma's tongue ; the wise re ach
it by their praises or oblations.
324
BtS-YElXAl SANHITl.
SiJkta VII. (LXXIV.)
The RisM is Kakshivat the son of Tibshatamas ; the metre of
verse 8 is Trishtulh, of tht rest Jagati.
Tarea XXXI. 1. Bom in the water (the &omd) cries out like
a child, when powerful and brilliant^ he wishes to
enjoy heaven : he comes from the sky to mix with
the water that nonrisheth the kine;^ we ask him
by our praises for an opulent dwelling,
2. The supporter of heaven, the prop (of the
earth),® the >S'o?H«-juice who, widely spreading, fill-
ing (the vessels), flows in all directions — may he
unite the two great worlds by his own strength ; *
he has upheld them combined: (may he) the sage
(bestow) food upon (his worshippers).
3. (There is) abundant food well-prepared made
of Soma and sweet for (Indra) who comes to the
sacrifice; the way to earth is broad: (for Ixdra)
who is the lord of the rain (that falls) here, the
possessor of cattle, the showerer of water, the
leader (of the sacrifice), whose road is hither,® who
is deserving of praise.
' Or swift as a horse.”
* Fayovridhd^ ''that feeds the milk of kino and the sap
ot herbs.”
® Sayana refers to Eig Veda, IX. 89. 6.
* Sayana explains yaJcsliat ae Bamyojayatu^ and dvritd as “by
an act not to be shared,” ue^ by its own unaided strength.”
^ Le. to this our sacrifice.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — SECOND ADHYIyA. 325
4. Full of sap the butter and milk is milked
from heaven, the bond ^ of the sacrifice, the water is
generated : the assembled liberal givers delight him :
(the Soma-juices) the leaders, the protectors shower
down the accumulated (water).
5. Combining With the wave the Soma utters a
cry ; he sprinkles ^ his god-protecting body for the
worshipper ; he places the germ upon the lap of the
earth, whereby we acquire sons and grandsons.
6. May those (juices) which are in the third
world, the world of many streams, unconnected,
bestowing progeny, descend; the four digits® (of
the Soma) sent down from heaven bearing water
bring the oblation and the nectar.
7. When the Soma seeks to gain (heaven) he
assumes a white colour; showering (benefits),
powerful he knows (how to bestow) abundant
wealth (upon the worshippers). He by his wisdom
is associated with excellent rites; he bursts asunder
the rain cloud from heaven.
8. Anon the Sonia successfully^ reaches the
‘ NAhhih is taken by Sayana as “binding,” from naJi, to bind.
* i.e. distils into tbe vessels.
* Sayana explains naMah as the rays (iiftaydh) or digits
flealdh.) of tbe Soma, and derives it in a confused Tray both
from nalJias, heaven, and the root mh, to bind (ndlhah—nalhaso
hddhiJcdh “obstructing heaven”).
* Sayana explainfe sasavdn as samhhajan, ■which must mean
"enjoying, possessing,” though aamlhajamdnah would.be more
correct in this sense.
326
RIG-YEDA SANHITX.
white water-besprinkled pitcher like a horse
(reaching) the goal: the devout (priests) stimulate
him with their praise ; (he bestows) cattle upon
KaTcsMvaf who has seen a hundred winters.^
9. Purified 8oma^ when thou art diluted with
the water thy juice passes through the woollen
fleece ; cleansed by the sages, 0 exhilarating
purified (Soma), be sweet-flavoured for Indea to
drink.
SiJkta VIII. (LSXVO
.The ^isM is Kati of the race of Bheistt ; the metre js Jagati.
1. ®(The Soma) fit for food flows towards the
delightful waters in which the mighty (Soma) is
fostered; the beholder of all, the great (Soma)
mounts the mighty sun’s chariot which goeth
everywhere.
2. The tongue of the sacrifice (Sonia) distils the
delightful exhilarating (juice), speaking,® lord of
this rite, unassailable; the son (the sacrificer)
' S'ataldmdya is here explaiaed by Sayana as iahugam&naya
(qu. one ■who attains many things) : he elsewhere explains
the word by aparimila-k&la “lasting for an endless time.”
* Verses 1 to 3 oecnr Sama Veda, II. 1. 1. 19. 1-3 : verse 1
also ihid. 1 . 6 . 2. 2. 1.
’ i.e. “ resounding ” or “ replying to the praises of the
worshippers.”
SEyEOTH ASHTAKA — SECOOT) ABHTiYA. 827
assumes a third name unknown to his parents
in the brilliance of heaven.^
3. Shining, he cries aloud (descending) into the
vessels, pressed by the priests into the golden
receptacle ; the milkers of the sacrifice ^ glorify
him; the supporter of the three sacrifices shines
(most) on the days of sacrifice.
4. Effused by the atones and by the praises, fit
for food, illuminating heaven and earth the parents
(of the universe), pure, (the Soma) flows between
the sheepis hairs; diluted (with the water) the
stream of the exhilarating beverage (is purified)
day by day.
•5. Soma^ flow forth for our welfare ; purified by
the priests clothe thyself in the (milky) mixture :
with the exhilarating loud sounding * mighty juices
which thou hast, inspire Ixdea to bestow affluence
upon us.
1 “ The third name unknown to his parents ” means a name
not given at birth at the altar called ndma-lcarana. Sayana
explains rocliane divah as dyulohasya dipyamdne some 'Wmliit,-
yamane sati. He cites Baudhdyana, who gives Sotnaydjin as
an instance of a “ third name.”
® Sayana refers to the TaiUirlya JSrdhmana-. “the priests
milk the stones as calves (milk the cows).”
® Ahanasas is explained by YdsTca (whom Sayana cites) as
“having slaughter,” or “having utterance.” Sayana adds to
these two other meanings, “ being struck or pressed ” and
“having praises.”
328
Rie-VEDA SANHITi.
Varga I.
ADHYiCYA III.
MANPALA IX. Continued.
ANTJVAKA IY. Continued.
StJkia IX. (LXXYI.)
The Rishi is Xavx the son of BHEien; the deity is Pavamdm
Soma ; the metre is Jagati.
1. the sustain er (of all) flows from the
firmament, the purifiable juice, the invigorator of
the gods, worthy to he praised by the priests ;
green-tiated like a horse let loose by the charioteers
he easily restores his vigour in the waters.
2. Like a hero he carries weapons in his hands,
desirous of enjoying felicity, mounting his chariot
in quest of the cattle (of the worshipper), animating
the strength of Indea, Ixdu, urged by the wise
performers of pious acts, is anointed (with the milk
and curds).
3. So7m, who art purified, who desirest strength
enter Indili’s belly in a mighty stream; milk
heaveii and earth for us as lightning (milks) the
clouds ; now with the rite ® mete (unto us) abundant
food.
* Verses 1 to 3 occur, with slight variatioDS, Sama Veda,
[I. 5. 1. 12 ; verse 1 also ihid. I. 6. 2. 2. 5.
® i.e. at the very time the rite is being performed.
SEYENTH ASOTAKA — THIRB ADHYIYA. 329
4. (Soma) tlie sovereign of the universe flows
forth ; su'^passing the Rishis he desired the worship
of the all-seeing truthful (Indra) ; he who is
cleansed by tne ray of the sun, the father of praise,
the unequalled sage.
6. As a bull (entering) the herd thou rushest
to the receptacle, on the top of tne waters,
showering (benefits) crying aloud; thou fio west for
Indra, most exhilarating, so that we may be
victorious in battle protected by thee.
SdKiA X. (LXXVII.)
Deity, and metre as before.
1. ^The sweet. flavoured beverage sounds in thevargaii.
pitcher, the thunderbolt of Indra, more beautiful
than the beautiful:^ (the streams) of this veracious
(Soma) approach yielding much milk, dropping
water, lowing like kine (laden) with milk.
2. That ancient (Soma) flows, which the hawk,
despatched (for the purpose), brought down fx*om
heaven passing through the (third) world; ho®
detaches the sweet-flavoured (Soma) flying down-
wards, with mind full of fear of the archer JTrisdnu.
' Sama Veda, I. 6. 9. 2. 3.
“ Sayana explains the words vapusho vapiishtarah as “ sowing
seed more than any other sower of seed.”
® Sayana refers saA to the Soma ; it would seom hero to refer
to the hawk, who is afraid of Krisam, the protector of the
Soma. As to the legend, Sayana cites Ailartya Brd/imanu,
III. 26.
330
BJG-TEDA SANHITI.
Varga III.
3. May the former and the latter /Sowia-juices
flow to give Tis abundant food and milk, pleasing
to look upon like beautiful well-adorned (women),
which (juices) perform every prayer and every
oblation.
4. May this Indu, praised of many, knowing
those who desire to slay us, slay them with united
mind; who being in the dwelling of the lord
(Agni) deposits a germ (in the herds) and hastens
to (our) milk-giving ^ herd of cattle,
5. The maker of all, clever in work, the juice,
mighty unassailable Yartjka ^ flows from heaven
for the sake of him who goeth hither and thither ;
the friend of all the adorable {Soma) is effused in
affliction® uttering a sound like an ardent horse
amidst a herd (of mares).
S^KTA XI. (LXXTIII.)
Rnhi, deity, and metre as before.
1. This royal {Soma) producing a sound flows
forth ; clothing himself with the water he advances
towards the praises (of the worshipper) ; the sheep *
with its fleece lays hold of the impure form:
purified he approaches the station of the gods.
^ Unibja is derived by Sayana from urn-\-djp-\-jan ** producing-
abundant water (milk).”
* Sayana does not notice this word.
3 Yrijineshu is explained by Sayana as locative absolute^
‘‘when misfortunes exist.” The Soma is effused in order to
avert misfortunes. * Le. the filter.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHTItA. 331
2. Thou art effused by the priests, Soma, for
Indea; thou the observer of men, stimulated,
intelligent, art immersed in the water; many are
the paths for thee to follow,^ infinite are the spread-
ing green-tinted streams alighting on the cups.
3. The nymphs of the firmament seated in the
midst ^ fiow towards the sagacious Soma ; they
cherish him the sprinkler of the hall of sacrifice:
(the worshippers) solicit Pavamdna (the unde-
caying) for a boon.
4. Soma flows for us, the conqueror of cattle,
of chariots, of gold, of heaven, of water, of
thousand-fold (wealth), whom the gods have made
for (their) drinking, exhilarating, most sweet-
flavoured, dropping, purple, causing happiness.
5. Bestowing all these true riches, loving us thou
flowest. Soma, purified; destroy our enemy whether
he be far or nigh; grant us a free road and freedom
from danger.
SfiKTA xn. (LXXIX.)
JRisM and metre as before.
1. ®May the spontaneous /S'oH 2 a-juices flow to us varga iv.
at the brilliant (sacrifices), green-tinted, effused;
may they be destroyed who are the withholders of
^ Or, connecting the last line with the first : There are
ancient paths for thee to go to Indra, and a thousand bay
, horses standing' in the cups/’
* In the middle of the sacrifice, in the cups.
® Sama Veda, I. 6. 2. 2. 2.
3S2
RIG-VEDA SAJiTHITl.
Varga T,
food from us; may (our) foes be destroyed; may
(the gods) enjoy our pious acts.
2. May they flow to us, may they bring us riches
— the honey-dropping >S(9?Ma-juiees by whose aid
we encounter the powerful (enemy) ; may we over-
coming the opposition of every man always bear
off his wealth.
3. Tor the (Soma) verily is the foe of his own
enemy and the destroyer of the enemy of another ;
as thirst overcomes one in a desert, so purified Soma,
who art irresistible, slay (both) those (adversaries).
4. Thy best juice (dwells) in the navel of heaven,
that which receives (the oblation); chy (members)
grow up thrown upon the summit of the earth;
the stones devour thee upon the cowhide ; ^ the
wise (priests) milk thee into the water with their
hands.
5. Thus, Indu, the chief (priests) making the
mixture send forth thy well-lodged, well-formed
juice ; purified Soma, destroy (our) reviler ; let thy
potent, delightful, exhilarating (juice) appear.
StJETA XIII. (LXXX.)
The llisM is Tasv the son of BnAEADvijA ; the metre and deity
as before.
1. The stream of the &oma^ the contemplator of
' Sdyaim says that altliougb ia bis time people poured the
Soma out upoa a black antelope’s skia, and not a cowhide,
the Serna was measured on a cowhide for the purpo«e of selling.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — TH I ED ADHYXYA. 333
man, flows forth; it invites by the sacrifice the
gods (who dwell) above the sky ; it shines forth
at the voice of the sacrificer; the libations cover
(the earth) like rivers.
2. Giver of food, whom the kine^ praise, thon
mountest, bright shining, thy station fashioned by
golden-hands®; thou, Soma, the health of the wor-
shippers, increasing (their) abundant food flowest
for Indra, the showerer (of benefits), the giver of
exhilaration.
3. The (Soma) flows to Indra’s belly for (his)
food,® giving extreme exhilaration, clothed with
vigour, giving good fortune he spreads forth to-
wards all beings; sporting (on the altar), green-
tinted, swift-moving, the showerer of benefits, he
flows forth.
4. The priests, the ten fingers, milk thee forth
for the gods, most sweet-flavoured, flowing in a
thousand streams; effused by the men, expressed
with the stones, do thou, Soma, the winner of
thousand-fold wealth, flow to all the gods.
5. The ten fingers of the skilful (one) milk thee
forth with the stones into the water most sweet-
^ Aghnydh, explained as aJiananii/d gdvah; the meaning is
that the kine who are brought to the sacrifice and milked
for the curds, etc., with which the Soma is mixed, are lowing.
* See note to IX. 1. 2.
* Or, for the sake of getting food for the sacrificer.
334
RIG-VEDA SANHITi.
VaigaTI.
flavoured, the showerer (of benefits); Soma, ex-
hilarating IxDEA (and) the celestial people, thou
rushest forth, when filtered, like the wave of a
river.
StJkta XIV. (liXXXI )
Rishi as before; the metre of verse 5 is Trishtitlhy of the rest
Jagatu
1. The graceful waves of the purified Soma flow
into Indea’s belly when being effused and drawn
forth (together) with the potent curds of the kine,
they excite the hero ^ to bestow (gifts to the wor-
shipper).
2. The Soma flows towards the pitchers, like a
draught horse, lightly moving, the showerer; and
knowing both races of gods — those who come to
(the sacrifice) from the other world and those who
(come) from this world.'
3. Soma, when purified, strew upon us wealth;
luDV, who art possessed of affluence, be (the donor)
of ample riches ; dispenser of food, grant to Vase
^ Indra*
* S%aiia takes ahioti as tbe predicate of yat ; it would
make better seuse^ and the inversion would be avoided, if we
understood somah as the subject of ahioti : he acquires what
is in the woild above and what is in this world,’’ the ablatives
amutah and Uffk being put for the locative by attraction, as
if it w’erc, ^‘he acquires from the next world what is there
and from this world what is here.”
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHtIYA. 335
prosperity through (thy) intelligence, scatter not
our riches ^ far from us.
4. May the generous (gods) met together come
to us — PiisHAN Pavamana, Mitha, Yaetjna, Brihas-
PATi, the Martjts, Vatu, the Aswins, Twashtri
Satitri, and beautiful ^ SARASWAif.
5. The all-pervading couple heaven and earth,
the divine Artaman, Aniir, Yidhatri, Bhaga
deserving the praise of men, the spacious firma-
ment, all the gods honour the purified (Soma).
SiJkta XV. (IXXXII.)
The metre and JRishi as before.
1. *The Soma has been effused radiant, thevargavii.
showerer, green-tinted ; magnificent as a king,
he cries aloud when approaching the waters;
purified, he passes through the sheep’s fleece, to
alight on the water-moistened seat like a hawk
(on its nest).
2. Thou, who art wise, passest through the
adorable (filter) with a desire to perform the
sacrifice ; being cleansed thou rushest like a horse
to the battle. Driving away misfortunes be
gracious (to us). Soma; clothed in water thou
proceedest to the cleansing (vessel).
^ JVb gayayn^ i.e. asmahhyam pradeyaiu dJumam the wealth,
to be bestowed on ns.”
^ Stiyayyid is explained as smigraM ‘‘ having a fair bod}".”
^ Yerses 1 to 3 occur Sama Yeda, II. 5. 2. 13 j verse 1
also ibid. I. 6. 2. 2. 9, with vdram atyesliyamjayam for vdraih
paryeiymyayam ; no mrida for mrilaya and other variations.
336
BIG-VEDA SANHITI.
3. The mighty winged [Soma) whose father is
PAEJAinrA^ has placed his dwelling on the navel
of the earth among the mountains ; the sisters,
the waters flow to (the produce of) the kine ; he
meets with the stones at the beloved sacrifice.
4. As a wife to her hii,sband, so thou (affordest)
delight to thy worshipper ; (Soma), offspring of
Pajea,^ listen (to the praises) I address to thee;
in the midst of our adorations advance to grant us
life ; Soma, who art irreproachable, be vigilant
against (our) foe.
5. As thou, Imdtt, didst attain strength® for the
ancient (rishis), giving them hundredfold (wealth)
invulnerable,® giving them thousandfold (wealth) ;
so now flow for (our) modern prosperity; the waters
wait upon tby functions.
S,toA. XVI. (LXXXIII.)
The RisJii is Payitba ; the metre is JagatL
Varga VIII. X. *Lord of prayer, thy filter is stretched out ;
thou who art the sovereign, enterest its members
' i,e. the rain. Sayana takes somah, implied in maUshasya
parninahj as the subject of dadke. The mountains are the
grinding-stones : the navel of the earth the oblation. He ex-
plains swasdrah as fingers,” which makes no sense.
* the earth ; 8'oma is its offspring, because it is produced
in the ground in the form of a herb.
® S^ana omits vdjcm and amridhrah from his commentary.
* Yerses 1 to 3 occur with variations, Sama Teda, II. 2.
2. 16; verse 1 also ihid» I. 6. 2. 2. 12.
SEVEOTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHXiTA. 337
from all sides ; the raw (liquid) whose mass is not
heated attains not this (filter); it is the boiled
(liquids) bearing (the sacrifice) which attain it.
2. The filter of the foe-scorching (Soma) is spread
on the summit of heaven ; his shining filaments are
separated; his swift-flowing (juices) protect the
purifier (the worshipper) ; they dwell upon the
summit of the sky in their wish (to approach
the gods).
3. The chief sun of the dawn (the Soma) shines
forth ; sprinkler (of water), he nourishes the worlds,
wishing (to give them) food : by his intelligence the
intelligent build, the fUris^ the beholders of men,
support the germ (of vegetation).
4. The Gandharva verily protects his station;
the marvellous (Soma) preserves the races of the
gods; the lord of cattle^ seizes (our enemy) with
a snare, the doers of good attain the drinking of
the sweet-juiced (Soma).
5. Possessed of water, thou goest clothed in the
liquid water, ^ to the great celestial abode to (take)
the sacrifice ; as king thou ascendest to the battle,®
mounted on thy filter-chariot; armed with a thou-
sand weapons thou winnest (us) abundant food.
* Sayana apparently takes nidJidpaUh (the lord of snares)
as if it were nidhipatih (the lord of treasure), unless paimami.-
Jiasw&mi is a mistake for pakasamiiha^ .
* Sayana takes havih and nahJtah in apposition.
® i.e. the sacrifice.
VOL. V.
338
RIG- VEDA SANHITX.
StkTA XVII. (LXXXIY.)
The is PEAjlPATr the son of VIoh:; the metre as before.
Varga IX. 1. Flow, tie exhilaratot of the gods, the far-
seeing, the giver of water, for Iitdea, Vartoa, and
Yatu; grant us this day wealth and health; calP
the celestial people * on the spacious ground (of the
sacrifice).
2. The immortal Boma who is stationed upon the
worlds, goes round about ® them all ; Indd, binding
and unloosing, accompanies (the sacrifice) for its
protection, as the sun the dawn.*
3. The Boma who is created hy the (sun’s) rays,
(and whom they place) in the herbs for the gratifi-
cation of the gods, desiring to go (to the gods),
taking wealth from (the foe), flows when effused
in a brilliant stream, exhilarating Indra (and) the
people of heaven.®
^ the gods hear the Boma flow, they come to the
sacrifice.
* Or, speak to the godly folk {i.e. me, the rishi), saying
‘‘ sddhu, samhhahta.^^
® protects.
^ Sayana expands this thus: Indit accompanies the sacrifice
(sacrificer), connecting it (him) with the gods (the desired end
— phalaih)^ separating it (him) from the Asuras, etc. (calamities),
as the snn for the protection (of sentient beings) accompanies
the dawn, connecting it with light and separating it from
darkness. ^
^ Sayana takes daivyam with indram the lord of the gods/’
overlooking janam.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIRD ADHYXyA. 339
4. This is the So7m, the conqueror of thousands,
■vrho flows stimulating the rapid voice (of the priests),
awaked at dawn ; Indd sends forth his ocean with,
the winds, and sinks into the pitchers into Indea's
heart.'
5. The kine dilate with their milk that milk-
augmenting Soina who bestows all things by means
of praises; (the Sojna) the winner of (our foes’)
wealth flows purified by the rite, apt for the rite,
wise, experienced, the (giver of) all food.
StJKTA XVIIL (LXXXV.)
The BisM is Yei^a of the race of Bheigtt ; the metre of the last
two verses is Truhtubh, of the rest Jagatu
1. Flow forth, Soma, well-effused for Indra ; Varga x.
may disease and the RdJcshasas he (kept) far off;
let not the double-dealers be exhilarated by thy
liquor; may the >S'o?»a-juices be full of wealth at
this (sacriflce).
2. Purified (Soma), animate us in battle ; for
thou art powerful, dear to the gods, the exhilarator.
Slay our foes, approach (us) who desire (to pro-
pitiate thee by) praises ; Indra, drink the Soma,
destroy our adversaries.
3. Thou flowest, Indd, the inviolable, the most
exhilarating; thou art thyself the best support®
^ Sayana explains aindrasga hdrdi as '‘in such a way that
Indrd^s heart is friendly.’*
* Sama Yeda, I. 6. 2. 2. 8.
^ Sayana, " food.’^
340
EIG-VEDA SASTHITi.
Varga XI.
of Indba; many sages approach, and glorify thee
the ruler of this world.
4. The guide of thousands, flowing in a hundred
streams, marvellous, Indtj flows forth for Indea,
(his) beloved beverage; approach (the filter) winning
(us) land, winning water, 0 Soma, sprinkler, make
our path broad.
5. Crying aloud thou art blended in the pitcher
with curds and milk, thou passest through the
woollen fleece in the midst ; being- cleansed like a
horse, distributing (gifts), thou flowest. Soma, into
Indea’s belly.
6. Flow sweet for the celestial people, flow sweet
for Indea, whose name is worthily invoked ; sweet
for Mitea, Yaetoa, Vatu, Beihaspati, thou who
art sweet-flavoured, inviolable.
7. The ten fingers clean the horse in the
pitcher; among the vipras the worshippers send
forth praises; the filtered (juices) hasten to the
fair praise, the exhilarating Soma juices enter
IXDEA.
8. (Soma), when filtered, bring us male progeny,
extensive pastures, a large and spacious mansion;
let no hinderer of this (rite) be lord over us ; Ikdtt,
through thee may we win all wealth.
9. The showerer, the beholder, has taken his
station upon heaven, the seer has illumined the
luminaries of heaven ; the king passes through the
filter with a shout, (the SOnta juices) the beholders
of men milk forth the ambrosia of heaven.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA. — THIRD ADHTITA. 341
10. In the heaven^ of the bright (sacrifice)
the sweetivoiced Venas severally milk forth the
sprinkler, the mountain-hannting (Soma ) ; (they
sprinkle, him) nourished in the waters, juicy,
in the ocean(-like pitcher), in the wave of the
river ; (they sprinkle him) sweet-flavoured, in
the filter.
11. The many voices of the Ybnas praise (the
Soma who dwells) in heaven, well-winged, falling
(to earth) ; praises soothe the crying infant, the
golden bird, reposing on the earth.^
12. The elevated Gandharva abides above the
sun contemplating all its forms; the sun shines
with white light, radiant he illumines the creative ®
heaven and earth.
^ Sayana explains nake as ‘‘free from pain, the place called
havirdhdna ’’ ; divah is dyotamdnasya yajnasya.
* i.e. the havirdhdna.
® Mdtmrd is explained by Sayana as nirmdtryau. It is either
“the two mothers/’ or more probably “the two parents”
(cf. pitarau).
342
RIO-TEDA. SANHITI.
ANTJVA'KA V,
ADHYAYA III. Continued.
Si5kta I. (LXXXTI.)
The MisMs are various: verses 1-10 the AKBisHii' Masha
JRisMs; verses 11-20 the Sikata XivivAEis; verses 21-30
the Peisiti Ajas; verses 31-40 the above three classes together;
verses 41-45 AiEt soh of BhtIma; verses 46-48 Geitsamada :
the deity is Soma PavamIita ; the metre is Jagati.
Varga XII. 1. Thj (juices), purified (Soma), all-pervading,
quick as tkought, go of themselves like the ofispring
of swift (mares) ; the celestial well- winged sweet-
flavoured juices, great exciters of exhilaration, alight
upon the receptacle.
2. Thy exhilarating all-pervading juices are let
loose separately like chariot-horses ; the sweet-
flavoured (Soma) waves (go) to Indea the wielder of
the thunderbolt as a cow with her milk to the calf.
3. Like a horse urged on to battle, do thou who
art all-knowing rush from heaven to the receptacle
whose mother is the cloud ; Soma the showerer (of
benefits) is being purified at the top upon the
woollen filter for Index’s strength which supports
(the world).^
^ See Max Muller’s Big Veda SanMta (Hymns to tlie
Maruts), Introductioii, page Ixv, on the names of the rislm
of this hymn as given by Sayana,
* See IX. 70, 5. In both places Say ana explains dMyaM as
dhdrahdya. It is more probably the gerundial infinitive ^^to
India’s suppprting,” i.e, to support
SEVENTH ASHTAKA. — THIED ADHTiVA. 343
4. ^Purified (Soma), thy celestial steed-like
(streams) as quick as thought are poured along
■with the milk into the receptacle ; the rishis, the
ordainers (of sacrifice), who cleanse thee, 0 risM-
enjoyed (Soma), pour thy continuous (streams) into
the midst (of the vessel).
5. ^All-seeing (Soma), the mighty rays of thee,
who art the lord, encompass all the sphere; per-
vading (all things) thou flowest. Soma, through thy
functions ; ® thou rulest lord of the whole world.
6. ^ The rays, the tokens of the extant, steady, Varga xiii.
purified Soma, circulate from both worlds ; when
the green-tinted juice is cleansed upon the filter,
reposing it alights upon its station, the pitchers.
7. Soma, the signal of sacrifice, the object of
pious worship, fl.ows filtered; it approaches the
abode of the gods ; the thousand-streamed rushes
to the receptacle, the showerer passes roaring
through the filter.
8. The royal [Soma) plunges into the firmament,
(and) the rivers (thereof), mixed with the streams,
he associates with the wave of the waters ; ® being
filtered he stands upon the uplifted woollen (filter)
* Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 1. 1. * Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 1. 3.
® Sayana, ^'by tliy supporting streams of juice.”
^ Sama Yeda, II. 3. 1. 1. 2.
® According to Sayana, this may be intended to express the
effect of the Soma in producing rain by combining in the douds
with the solar rays.
344 EIG-TEDA SANHITl.
on the navel of the earth, the upholder of the vast
heaven.
9. Thundering like the summit of the sky (the
Soma) roars, by whose support both heaven and
earth (are upheld); the Soma flows acquiring
Imea’s friendship, purified he alights upon the
pitchers.
10, ^The light of the sacrifice, he distils sweet
(juice) delightful (to the gods), the parent of the
gods, the generator (of all), possessed of ample
wealth ; he supports the hidden wealth of heaven
and earth, the most exhilarating, the exciting
(^Soma), the nourisher of (Indra), the juice.
Varga XIV. 11. The rapid [Soma) the lord of heaven, the
thousand-streamed, the beholder (of all), rushes
crying aloud to the pitcher; the green-tinted one
alights upon Mitra’s dwelling-place, cleansed by
the sheep’s hairs and the waters, the showerer.
12. In the front of the waters rushes the filtered
[Soma), foremost (he rushes) in the front of the
voice, he goes amongst the rays ; in the front he
engages in battle (to win) food ; well-armed, the
showerer (of benefits) he is purified by the offerers
of the oblation.
13. This [Soma) possessed of agreeable (praise),
filtered, and sent forth, (quick) as a bird goes with
a stream (of juice) through the fleece ; by thy
‘ Terses 10 to 12 occur Sama Veda, 11. 4. 1. 1.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA. — THIED ADHTIvA. S45
sustaining act, by thy intelligence, sage Indra, the
pure Soma flows purified through both heaven and
earth.
14 . Wearing a coat of mail ^ reaching to heaven,
the adorable Soma, who fills the firmament (with
rain), placed in the waters, generating heaven,
passes with the water, (and) worships its ancient
parent (Indea).
16 . {Soma), who first reached Indea’s glorious
body, gives great happiness to the entrance of
Indea ; (that Soma), whose station is in the highest
heaven, and through whom® (Indea) triumphs in
all contests.
16. ® Indu goes to Indea’s abode, the friend leaves Varga xv.
not the stomach of his friend; as a young man
meets maidens, so the Soma (meets) the pitcher by
a hundred paths.
17 . Your thoughtful worshippers {Soma), desiring
an exhilarating sound^ purposing praise, advance
into the halls of sacrifice ; the praisers the lords of
^ Le. clothed in light.
* Atah is explained as yasmdt somdt {tripta Mrah under-
stood), and the last line is construed as containing two additional
protases to the first line. It would be better perhaps to take
pudam yad asya as the protasis to which ato vUwak is the apo-
dosis, ‘‘Since his {Somcds) station is in the highest hearen,
therefore he (Soma) triumphs, etc.’*
® Yerses 16—18 occur Sama Yeda, II. 4. 2. 7 ; verse 16 also
iUd. I. 6. 2. 2. 4.
346 RIG- VEDA SANHITI.
intellect praise Soma, the milch kine approach him
with their milk.
18. Eadiant Soma, when filtered, pour upon us
accumulated unwasting nutritious food, which is
milked for us three times a day, without hindrance,
giving forth a sound, yielding strength and madhu
and fair male offspring.
19. ^ The all-observant Soma the showerer (of the
desires) of his eulogists, the increaser of the day,
the dawn, the sun; maker of rivers he desires to
enter the pitchers, penetrating to Iotra’s heart,
(praised) by the wise.
20. The ancient sage [Soma) is purified by the
wise, guided by the priests he roars into the
receptacles; generating the water of the threefold
(Ijidea), he distils sweet juice to gain Indra’s and
Tayd’s friendship.
Varga XVI. 21. (It is) he (who), when purified, illumines the
dawn; he the maker of the world is (prosperous)
for the rivers this Soma, having milked the thrice
seven (cows) of their curds and milk, exhilarating,
flows pleasantly to (go to) the heart.
22. Flow, Soma, to the heavenly abodes;® let •
^ Yerses 19 to 21 occur, with variations, Sama Yeda, II. 2. 1.
17 j verse 19 also Md. I. 6. 2. 2. 6.
^ Sayana explains alhamt as samriMho Ihmati almost as if
he took nndimhhjah as instrumental. The true construction is
to take sindhuM^ah as tlatire {datwm commodi\ depending on
lohaJcrit, » Le. the bellies of the gods.
SEYJENIH ASHTAKA — THIBB AOHTIYA. 347
forth, 0 Indtt, (proceed) to the pitcher, to the filter ;
alighting upon Indra’s belly with a noise, guided
by the priests, make the sun ascend the sky.
23. Effused with the stones, thou flowest, Indxj,
into the filter entering the belly of Iitoea ; Soma,
the contemplator, thou dost look upon man (with
affection); thou didst open the cloud for the
Angirasas}
24. The pious worshippers desirous of preserva-
tion have glorified thee. Soma, when being purified ;
the hawk brought thee from heaven, Indtj, adorned
with all praises.
25. The seven milch kine^ approach the green-
tinted (Soma) who flows purified in a stream through
the woollen fleece, mighty men urge (thee) the sage
on the lap of the waters to the place of sacrifice.^
26. Indu, purified, plunges through his foes making Varga xvil.
all things easy of access to the worshipper ; making
his body liquid,^ lovable and wise, he rushes through
the filter sporting like a horse.
27. Separate, hundred- streamed, commingling
(with the Soma), water-desiring, (the sun’s rays)
^ Or, thou didst open the mountain-side 'which concealed the
cattle stolen by the Fanis.
^ The seven verses Gdyatri^ etc., or the seven rivers, the
Ganges, etc.
^ Or to the water; Sayana adds yonih, and ritasya
ymih all mean water,
* 8ayana explwns yah m rmamaydn.
348
EIG-VEDA. SAKHITi.
approach, the green-tinted [Soma)',^ the fingers
cleanse him pervaded by rays, in the third sphere
illumined by the sun.
28. All these are the offspring of thy celestial
effluence ; thou art the ruler of the whole world ;
so, purified (Soma), this universe is in subjection to
thee ; thou, Indu, art the foremost, the supporter
of the house.
29. Thou, 0 sage, art the ocean, thou art om-
niscient ; these five regions (rest) on thy support ;
thou sustainest both heaven and earth ; the sun,
0 Pavamdna, (nourishes) thy luminaries.
30. Purified Soma, thou art purified for the gods
in the filter the supporter of the world ; the chief
(priests) desiring (thee) lay hold of thee, all these
worlds offer themselves to thee.
Varga iviii. 31. The sounding (Soma) passes through the
woollen fleece; the green-tinted showerer cries in
the waters; the worshippers desiring (the Soma)
praise him together, the laudations soothe the infant
as he cries.
32. He invests himself with the rays of the sun
stretching out the triple thread in the way he
knows ; guiding the recent adorations of the truth-
ful (worshipper), the protector of women passes to
the consecrated (vessel).
^ Or iatadhdrdh may refer to the Soma and juices and hari^St,
to Indr a ; ahhisriyah would then mean mixed with milk,” and-
udanyuvah, “ desiring (Indra’s rain).”
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIED ADHTIyA. 349
33. The sovereign of rivers flows pure, the lord
of heaven goes with a shout by the paths of the
sacrifice ; the thousand-streamed green-tinted [Soma)
is poured out, uttering a sound while being filtered,
the bringer of wealth.
34. Purified (Soma), thou pourest forth abundant
juice; like the wonderful sun (thou approachest) the
fleecy filters ; purified by the hands of the priests,
expressed with the stones thou flowest for a mighty
wealth-yielding conflict.
35. Thou rushest, Pavamaeta, to (bring) food and
strength; thou alightest on the pitchers like a
falcon on its nest; (thou) the exhilarating effused
juice giving exhilaration to Indra, resembling - the
support of heaven, beholding (all things).
36. The seven sister mothers approach^ the new- VargaXix.
born victorious sagacious infant. Soma, abiding
amidst the waters, supporter of water, divine, the
contemplator of men, to make him the ruler of the
whole world.
37. ^iNDtr, who art the lord, thou goest (through)
these worlds, harnessing (to thy car) thy swift-moving
steeds; let them dispense the sweet-flavoured shining
liquor, may all men be present. Soma, at thy worship.
38. ®Thou, Soma, art everywhere, the contem-
plator of men; thou, Pavamaea, the showerer,
^ i.e. the seven rivers (the G-anges, Jumna, etc.) clothe the
Soma with their water.
* Sama Yeda, II. 3. 2, 1. 3. * Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 1. 2.
350
MG-VEDA SAJfHITiC.
liastenest to these (waters); do thou pour forth
upon us (wealth), comprising various treasures and
gold ; may we be (able) to live in the worlds.
39. 'Flow, Iauu, who art the winner of cattle,
wealth, and gold, the fructifier, placed upon the
waters ; thou. Soma, art a hero, omniscient ; thee
these sages approach with praise.
40. The wave of the sweet-flavoured (Soma)
excites voices (of praise) ; clothed 'in water the
mighty one plunges (into the pitcher): the king
whose chai'iot is the filter mounts for the conflict,
and, armed with a thousand weapons, wins ample
sustenance (for us).
41. The all-pervading (Soma) excites both day
and night all pi’aises easily borne, productive of
prosperity; Ixnu, when drunk, solicit Ixuii.! (to
give) us food productive of progeny and riches
filling our homes."
42. At the beginning of the day the green-
tinted diilightfiil exhilarating (Soma) is recognized
by the intelligence (of the praisers) and by their
prai.<es ; approaching the two men " he passes in
the mid&t (of heaven and earth, bestowing) upon
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIED ABHYXYA.
351
the upholder (of the rite) both human and divine
(riches).
43. ^(The priests) smear and grease and anoint^
(the Soma with milk) ; (the gods) taste the invigor-
ating (juice) ; they smear it o’er with sweet (milk).
Purifying it with gold, they plunge it into those
(waters) the sprinkler, the beholder, falling into
the seething torrent.^
44. Sing (ye priests) to the intelligent Pavanidna",
like a mighty shower he sends forth food; like a
snake he glides out of his old skin, sporting like
a horse he hastens forth, the showerer, green-tinted.
45. (Soma) going foremost, radiant, sanctified by
water, placed in the firmament as the measurer of
days * is glorified ; grccn-tintcd, shedding water, of
goodly aspect, the source of moisture, borne in a
chariot of light he flows giving wealth, friendly to
the house.
* Verses 43-45 occur Sama Veda li 7. 3, 21 ; verse 43
also idl'd I. 6, 2. 2. 11.
” The words anj^fc, and ^di/tunjuiefs mean the same
thing; the repetition of the same word is a,vr/idcd because
it is considered more complimentary to u^o diii'erent words
(stufi/ariJifftwdd ap it n arul tih'),
^ Sindhor uc/ahknuUe means literally ‘‘in the breathing of
the liver.’* Ludwig tian.'^latcb, “ An dc^ stronies auf brau'^en.”
Sayana explains it, “ going to an tdevaied jibiwC, the nevplacle
of the juice” {t'asayddhdnibhkiu uchihhrife des/; g'Uht'hloiiifaiJi),
^ Lceause, says Sayana, the rule as to the leng'li of day
depends on the increase and decieasc of the muon's digits,
Soma being here regarded as the moon.
352
MG-TEDA SANHITJC.
Varga XXI. 46. The supporter of heaven the prepared ex-
hilarating (Soma) is let loose, the triple ^ (liquor)
rushes to the waters; the worshippers taste the
sounding Soma juice, when the reciters of holy texts
approach the embodied (beverage) with praise.
47. The rapid streams of thee when thou art
purified, being collected together pass through the
interstices of the fleece ; when thou art mixed with
water in the ladles, thou. Soma, on being effused
alightest on the pitchers.
48. Tlow for us, Soma, cognisant of (our) worship
and deserving praise; pour (thy) beloved sweet-
flavoured (juice) upon the woollen fleech ; slay, Indit,
all the voracious RdJcshasas ; blessed with excellent
male offspring may we offer ample (praises) * at the
sacrifice.
SiJkta II. (LXXXVII.)
The Rishi is Us anas son of Kavi;® the metre Trislitulh
Varga XXII. 1. ^ Flow fast (Soma), sit down on the receptacle,
purified by the priests hasten (showing) food (to the
saorificer) ; cleansing thee like a strong horse, they
^ Sayana takes tridkdtu as referring to the three vessels,
the (ironohilah, ddhavaniija^ and putMirid,
- Brihad vadema, lit. ‘‘ may we say much (or speak loudly).”
Saj'niia gives an alternative explanation, “ may we solicit much
wealth.”
Or Ifhnas the poetical: see verse 3.
* Verses I to 3 occur Sama Veda, II. 1. 1. 10; verse 1
also ibid. I. 6. 1. 11.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIRD ADHYItA. 353
guide thee with (their fingers for) reins to the sacred
grass.
2. The divine Indu well-armed flows forth, the
destoyer of RdJcshasas, averting calamity, the pro-
tector of the gods, the progenitor, the powerful one,
the prop of heaven, the support of the earth.
3. The rishi, the sage, the foremost of men, the
far shining intelligent TJkmas — he verily by his
poetic gift discovered the secret milk of those cows
which Tt^as hidden and concealed.
4. ^Tor thee, Indra, the showerer, this sweet-
flavoured Roma the showerer has been poured into
the Alter; the giver of thousandfold wealth, the
giver of hundredfold wealth, the giver of abundant
wealth, the powerful is present at the eternal
sacrifice.
5. These juices, (going towards) the thousand
viands produced by the kine, purified by the filters,
are let loose for ample food and ambrosia, desiring
food like horses victorious over a host.
6. Invoked by many, the Roma^ undergoing Varga xxii;
purification, pours forth all food (for the sake of
men) ; falcon-borne, bring us food, conveying wealth
send forth thy juice.
7. When effused, this quick-flowing Roma hastens
to the filter like a steed let loose ; whilst alighting
(he moves) like a buffalo sharpening his pointed
horns, like a warrior on a foray for cattle.
354
RIG VEDA SANHITi.
Varga XXIV.
8. This Soma stream has come from on high and
has detected the cattle which were in a stall
(hidden) somewhere within the mountain ; the
stream of the Soma flows for thee, Ixdra, thunder-
ing like lightning emitted hy the clouds from
heaven.
9. And being purified, Soma, thou pursuest the
herd of (stolen) cattle in the same chariot with
IXDRA ; 0 thou who givest quickly, give (us) when
invoked plentiful and abundant viands, for they are
thy (property), 0 thou who aboundest in food.
Sf-KT.i III. (LXXXVIII.)
and metre as before.
1. 'This Soma is expressed for thee, Indra ; for
thee it is filtered ; do thou drink of it ; it is the
Indu Soma which thou hast made, which thou hast
chosen for thine exhilaration, thy companion.
2. ^It has been harnessed like a great waggon
that bears heavy burdens in order to bring us many
treasures ; after this ® may all the races ot men
expecting our (attack) go to the desirable battle.
3. Tliou, Soma, who like Vatu with his NUjut
* Sama Yeda, II. 6. 3. 13. 1.
* Ibid. 11. 6 . 3. 13. 2.
® i.e. after the harnessing of the waggon. This line is very
obscure. Urdlmd is explained as asmadvirodhdd unmihhdniy
aiid swarsMtd as the locative of marslidti, meaning, that which
is fitted 101 the attainment of heaven,^* Le. '^battle.”
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIRD ADHYIYA. 355
steeds goest where thou listest, who like the
ITasatyas on hearing the invocation dost grant
abundant felicity, thou art of thyself desired by
all like the giver of wealth, thou art like PtfsHAN,
swift as thought.
4. Thou, Soma, who like Indra performest mighty
acts, art the slayer of the Vritras, the destroyer of
strongholds ; like the horse of Pedu * thou art the
slayer of those who are called serpents; thou art
the slayer of every Dasyu.
5. Sonia who, like j^exr let loose in a forest,
easily manifests his might in the waters like a man
who fights shouting against his mighty (foe) — so
Soma wlicn purified urges on his wave.
G. These Soma juices pass through the woollen
fleece, like the rains of heaven showered by the
clouds; the effused juices flow promptly to the
pitchers as rivers running downwards (flow) into
the ocean,
7. *Plow strong as the army of the Maruts, like
the divine blameless folk;® like waters become
(juickly favourable to us ; (thou art) of a thousand
shapes, adorable like (Indra) the victor in battle.
8. Thy acts are (like) those of the royal Varuna,*
‘ See I. 116. 6.
» Saraa Veda, II. 6. 3. 13. 3.
® i.e. the Jlaruts. Sdyana refers to a Biuhmana “ mamto
cat chvdnd}7i
* Sayana’s interpretation is, ** I quifkly perform the sacrifices
of thee the coverer ” {t'arvm -vdraha).
356
EIG-VEDA SANHITI.
vast and profound, Soma, is thine abode ; thou art
pure as the beloved Mitea, munificent art thou,
Soma, as Abtamam.
StfKTA IV. (LXXXIX.)
Rishi and metre as before.
Varga XXV. ^jiig horse of burden moves forth by the
(sacrificial) paths ; when purified thou flowest like
the rain from heaven; the thousand-streamed Boma
sits down amongst us on his mother’s lap in the
water.
2. The sovereign Boma has put on the vestment
of the waters, he has ascended the most straight-
going ship of sacrifice ; the dripping juice brought
by the falcon has increased in the waters ; the
father milks him — milks him the son of the father.^
3. (The worshippers) reach the lion-like {Boma)
the dispenser of water, green-tinted, red, the pro-
tector of this heaven ; a hero in battles, first (among
the gods) he seeks the (stolen) cows ; by his might
the sprinkler (Indra) protects (the universe).
4. (The priests) attach to the broad-wheeled car
the glossy-backed terrible active graceful horse;
the sister fingers cleanse him ; the kinsfolk in-
vigorate the mighty [Boma).
" The Scholiast fiads it difficult to make sense of this ;
{pdlaho lokah) he supposes to mean the Adhwaryw, who extracts
the juice of the Soma which is born from the heaven as from
a father; or the first milker may he the yajamdna and the second
the adJitom-yu', or dulhe may be repeated out of respect.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — THIRD ADHTITA. 357
6. The four yielders of butter wait upon him,
-stationed in a common asylum;^ being purified
they approach him with food, they surround him in
numbers on every side.
6. The prop of heaven, the support of earth — all
beings (are) in his hands ; may {Soma) the fountain
(of desires) be possessed of horses for thee (his)
adorer ; the filament of the sweet- flavoured {Soma)
is purified for (the sake of winning) strength.
7. ® Conquering (and) unoonquered approach the
banquet of the gods : Soma, who art the slayer of
FnVra, flow for Indra; grant us abundant and
splendid riches, may we be masters of excellent male
offspring.
SiJeta V. (XC.) ^
The Rishi is Yasishtha son of Mitea and YAnxrKA,
1. ® Urged (by the priests) the generator ofvargaxxvi.
heaven and earth advances^ like a chariot, wishing
to distribute food; going to Indra, sharpening his
weapons, holding all treasures in his hands.
2. ®The voices of the worshippers -resound about
^ The firmament.
* Sayana makes no comment on this verse.
® Sama Yeda, 1. 6. 1. 5. 4.
* Sayana “bestows*^ (^^rayachihhati\ neglecting ratlia iva.
Soma is the generator of earth by giving rain, and of heaven
by obtaining the oblation.
* Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 4, 6. Yerses 2 to 4 occur ibii. II. 6.
2 . 11 .
358
RIG-VEDi. SAXHIXi.
Mtn the triple-hacked, the showerer (of benefits),
the giver of food ; arrayed in ■water as Vartjna
( is arrayed) in the rivers, the giver of precious
wealth, he bestows desirable riches.
3. Flow thou who hast a host of warriors, who
hast all the heroes, full of strength, victorious, the
giver of riches, sharp-weaponed, rapid bowman,
irresistible in battle, overthrowing the enemy
(arrayed) in (hostile) armies.
4. Flow thou whose paths are broad, giving
security (to the worshipper), uniting heaven and
earth, wishing to enjoy the waters of dawn the sun
and (his) rays thou criest aloud, (to bestow upon)
us ample food.
5. Soma, exhilarate Yaruna, exhilarate Mixra;
0 Soma Pavamana, exhilarate Ixdra and YiSHNtr,
exhilarate the company of the Marxtts, exhilarate
the gods, exhilarate the mighty Indra, 0 Ixdu, for
his exhilaration.
6. Thus (glorified), do thou (Soma) like a king,
performing thy functions, flow on destroying all
evils by thy might ; Ixdu, give food (in answer) to
(our) well-recited praise ; do you (0 gods) cherish
us ever with blessings.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOTTETH ADHYjCYA. 369
ADlIYxl'YA IV.
MANDALA IX. Continued.
ANUVA'KA V. Continued.
SUKTA VI. (XCI.)
The deity is Soma PAVAir.tfrA; the jRhhi is Kasyapa son of
MAEfoHAi ; the metre is TrisMvhli.
1. ^[Soma) on whom the minds of the gods are Varga i.
fixed/ chief (of the gods), recipient of praise, is let
loose with a shout by ceremony as (a horse is let
loose by the finger) in a battle of chariots; the
ten sister (fingers) drive the bearer (of the oblation)
on the elevated place to the halls (of sacrifice).
2. The Soma juice effused by pious mortals
(comes) down (to the sacrifice) for the food of the
celestial people ; which immortal (liquor) is purified
by mortal (priests) with the filter, the curds and
milk and the waters.
3. The Soma juice the showerer (of benefits)
roaring to the showerer (Indra) goes when being
purified to (mix with) the glistening milk of the
cow; greeted with laudation, cognisant of sacred
praise, the hero passes through the filter by a
thousand imperishable paths.
* Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 5. 11.
® See note on VI. 1. 1, Vol. III. p. 381. Sayana cites a
Brahmana “ tasmin hi teshdih manamsyotdni."
360
EIG-VEDA SAJSTHITl.
Varga II.
4. Demolishi the strong dw^ellings of the Rdlesha-
sa; Indtt, ■when purified put on his strength; cut
to pieces with thy destructive weapon (the Rdksha-
sas) who come from above, from nigh, or from afar
and their leader.
5. Adorable* (Soma), do thou as of old grant
the ancient paths to thy new worshipper ; doer of
many acts, utterer of many sounds, may we obtain
those (portions) of thee which are difficult to defeat,
inflicting injury (on foes) and mighty.
6. Thus, being purified, bestow upon us the
firmament and heaven and earth and many sons
and grandsons ; make our land prosper, diffuse the
luminaries widely (in the firmament)^ and grant us
long to see the sun.
S6kta VII. (XGII.)
RisM and metre as before.
1. The green-tinted Sovia effused and sent forth
(by the priests) is let loose, like a chariot upon the
filter, for the acquisition (of riches) ; being filtered
he acquires (Inmia’s) praise, he gratifies the gods
■with conciliatory (oblations).
2. The sage, the observer of men, retaining the
water proceeds to his place on the filter; like a
ministrant priest sitting at the sacrifice (the Eoma
* Viswav&ra, “ -who art worthy to be chosen by all.”
® Say ana takes uru (for uruni) yt'ykh jyoii'mthi.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — EOURTH ADHTIyA. 361
flows) into the cups ; the seven wise rishis ^
approach him with praise.
3. Soma^ the intelligent, the knower of the right
path, accompanied by all the gods,^ undergoing
purification goes to his constant abode; he is one
who delights in. all sacred praises; the sage en-
deavours to approach the five classes of beings.
4. 0 Soma Pavamana, thine are the thrice eleven
universal gods abiding in the secret (heaven); the
ten (fingers) cleanse thee with the waters upon the
elevated fleece, the seven great rivers (cleanse thee).
6. May that place of the truthful Pavamana be
quickly ours, where all the worshippers assemble
(to praise him) ; the light (of the Soma) which gave
manifestation to the day protected Mano — Soma
made it triumphant over the Dasyu.
6. As the ministrant priest proceeds to the hall
where the victim is stationed, as a just king marches
to battle, the Soma undergoing purification enters
the pitchers like the wild buffalo in the waters.
StfKTA YIII. (XCIII.)
The RuM is IN’odhas the son of G-otama ; metre as before.
1. ® The sister (fingers) sprinkling together cleanse Varga in.
(the Soma), the ten fingers (are) the effusers of the
' Bharadwdjaf Kasyapa, Qoiama^Atri^ Viswdmitra^Jamadagniy
and VasMtaJl * Or ‘‘ having all-pervading light.^’
® Verses 1“ to 3 occur Sama Veda, II, 6. 2. 15; verse 1 also
ihid, 1. 6, 1. 5. 6.
362
IlIG-VEDA SANHITX.
sagacious (Soma)) the green-tinted one flows round
the wives ^ of the sun, he hastens like a svrift horse
to the pitcher.
2. Longing (for the deities) the showerer (of
benefits) the desired of many (the Soma) is sustained
by the (consecrated) waters as the infant by its
mother ; ^ going to his station like a bridegroom to
his bride, he combines in the pitcher with the curds
and milk.
3. And he nourishes ® the cow’s udder ; the
intelligent liidu is associated with his streams ; the
cows clothe the elevated Soma in the ladles with
their milk as with newly washed robes.
4- Ixnu Pav.vw.vxa, do thou w'ith the gods, who
dost long for (our good) bestow upon us riches
comprising horses; may thy capacious mind^ longing
for those who possess chariots (come) towards us to
bestow treasures (upon us).
5. SoJLV, when thou art purified, measure out to
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOUErH ABHYiYA. 363
US riches and dependents and all-gratifying water.
Indu, may the life of thy praiser he prolonged;
may (Soma) who acquires wealth by his intelligence
come quickly at dawn.
SUKTA IX. (XCIV.)
The jRisM is Kaxwa son of Angieas.
1. 'When the fingers vie with each other in this Varga
(Somu),^ as the trappings on a horse or the rays in
the sun, clothed in the waters he flows desiring his
worshippers like (a cowherd going to) a pleasant
cow-stall for the nourishment of his cattle.
2. Opening out the abode of the ambrosia'^ on
both sides (ho passes between); for him, the
omniscient, the worlds expand. Gratifying lauda-
tions eager for the sacrifice, • cull upon Lulu, like
kino (lowing) towards their stall.*
3. When the sage Soma goes round the praises
(^of the wise) like a hostile cliariot (going round) all
the regions (of the battle-field), tlien desirous of
bestowing upon mortals the wealtli that abides with
the gods, he (is) to be glorified in the many places
364
EIG-VEDA SANHITI.
Targa V,
of sacrifice for the preserration of the riches he has
given.
4. He (is) generated for prosperity, for prosperity
he issues forth, he gives prosperity (and) sustenance
to those who praise him ; clothing themselves in
(Ms) prosperity, they obtain immortality ; their
confiicts are successful through the aid of (the
Soma) who moves with measured tread.
5. Bring us food and drink, horses, cattle and
ample light, exhilarate the gods ; for all (the
RAhshasas) are easily subdued by thee ; Soma
Pavamana, destroy (all) foes.
SdEEi. X. (XCV.)
The Rishi is Psaskanwa. the son of Xaitva.
1. The green-tinted Soma cries aloud when let
loose, sitting when filtered in the belly of the
pitcher ; collected by the priests, he assumes his
shape, (putting on) the products the kine, therefore
raise praises (to him) with oblations.
2. The green-tinted Soma being let loose propels
the voice that indicates the path of truth as the
boatman (propels his) boat ; the bright Soma
reveals to his worshipper on the sacred grass the
secret names ^ of the god.
3. ^The priests hurrying like the waves of the
waters despatch praises towards Soma ; adoring Mm
' Sayana says ndma means the forms of the gods {iaHrdni).
* Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 5. 12.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — POXTETH ADHTXTA. 365
they approach and come up together, longing for him
who longs for them they enter him.
4. (The priests) milk^ forth the Soma cleansed
(dwelling) on a high place like a buffalo, the
sprinkler, placed between the grinding-stones ;
praises attend upon the longing Soma ; (Indea)
who dwells in three abodes ^ supports him, the
defeater of enemies, in the firmament.
6. Indtt, being purified, stimulating the praise
(of the worshippers) like the answerer of the Hotri
set free the understanding;* when (thou) and Indea
are present together (at the sacrifice) may we
be prosperous, may we become the possessors of
excellent male progeny.
StJETi. XI. (XCVI.)
The MisM is the Rdjd Prataedaka son of DitodXsa ; metre as
before.
1. The leader of the host, a hero, advances in Varga vi.
front of the chariots intent on seizing the cattle *
(of the enemy) ; his army exults : making their
oblations to Indea prosperous for the friendly
^ Sayana cites the Taittiriya Rrahmam^ grdv dm vaisd rit-
wijo duJiantiy
® Or tritah may be an epithet of somah understood, and vam~
nafii an epithet of indraih understood.
® i,e. make his (? Indrds) mind favourably disposed to grant
wealth.
* Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 5. 1.
366 RIG- VEDA SAimiTl.
(worshippers), Soma assumes the hastily made^
robes (of curds and milk).
2. The priests express his green- tinted (juice) ;
he mounts the chariot unyoked by the horse-driving
salutations ; the wise Soma the Mend of Indea goes
to meet the worshipper.
3. Divine Soma^ who art the beverage of Indea,
flow at our sacrifice for (his) abundant food; send-
ing water, causing rain to fall upon heaven and
upon this earth, (come) from the wide (firmament,
and) being purified bestow upon us wealth.
4. Flow for our immunity from defeat and
slaughter, flow for our welfare, for the great
sacrifice for all the gods ; all these my Mends
desire this ; this I desire, 0 Soma Pavamana.
5. *The Soma flows the generator of praises,
the generator of heaven, the generator of earth,
the generator of Agxi, the generator of the sun,
the generator of Irdea and the generator of
Yishnu.
Varga VII. 6. The BeahmI of the gods,® the guide of the
sages, the mA* of the pious, the buffalo of wild
animals, the falcon of the vultures, the hatchet of
' Sayana explains rathm&ni as indrastja vegmdgamam nimiUdni
(? caused by Indm’s hasty arrival).
* Tersea 5 to 7 occur Sama Yeda, 11. 3. 1. 19; verse 5 also
ihid. L 6. 1. 4. 5.
® the king of the gods, or it may mean the Brahmin of
the priests.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOEETH ADHY^TA. 367
deadly weapons, the Soma passes through the filter
with a roar.
7. The purified Soma excites gratifying praises as
a river (excites) the wave of sound ; the showerer (of
benefits) beholding the hidden (treasure) presides over
these irresistible powers, knowing about the cattle.
8. (Soma) who art the exhilarator, harming (the
foe) in battles, (thyself) unharmed, who hast a
thousand streams, rush against the strength (of the
enemy); Indp, who art being purified, the sage,
uttering cries, urge on for Indea the wave of juice.
9. The pleasing delightful Soma approached by
gods (proceeds) to the pitcher to exhilarate Indea ;
Inde the thousand-streamed and vigorous proceeds
like a strong horse to battle.
10. The'ancient (Soma) the finder of treasure as
soon as generated, cleansed in the waters milked
on the stone, the defender against enemies, the
sovereign of the world, purified for the sacrifice,
shows (the worshipper) the right way.
Jl. Soma Pavamana, by thee our ancient andy
wise progenitors performed their religious rites ;
harming the foes (thyself) unharmed^ slay the
RdJeshasas and be liberal in enriching us with male
offspring and horses.
12. As thou didst flow to M.ine possessing food,
slaying enemies, acquiring wealth, having oblations,
' Sayana explains av&lah by tair (i.e. htnibhir) ahhigaia^.
368
]^G-TEDA SANHITiC.
SO now flow bringing us riches; abide thou in
Indea ; make manifest (thy) weapons.
13. ^SoMA who hast exhilarating juice, wbo art
connected witb the sacrifice, clothed with water
flow upon the elevated fleece ; alight upon the
water-bolding pitchers, thou wbo art most exhilar-
ating, intoxicating, the especial beverage of Ixdea.
14. (Soma), who flowest in a hundred streams,
pour rain from the firmament, thou who art the
giver of hundredfold (wealth), the bestower of food
at the banquet of the gods; desirous of (the
mixture) ^ combine with the water in the pitchers
and with the curds and milk, prolonging our life.
15. This Boma (is) purified with praises, like
a strong horse he overthrows (his) foes; (he is
purified) like the strong milk milked from the cow,
(flocked to by all) like a broad road, (and guided
by the praisers) like a well-trained horse of burthen.
Varga-ix. 10. Well-armed, ' purified by those who express
thee, send thy concealed desirable form (into the
pitchers) ; like a horse bring us food in our desire
for food ; divine Soma, bring us life, bring us cattle.
17. ^Thcy cleanse the charming infant {Soma)
at his birth ; the Maruts decorate the bearer (of
boons) with their troop; being wise with songs.
‘ Silma Yoda, I. G. 1. 4. 10.
“ Or, with a noiso.’^ Sayana omits tliis word.
'' Verbcs 17 to 10 occur Buma Teda, 11. *5. 1. 1.
SEVEOTH ASHTAKA — EOUETH ADHYIyA. 369
wise with, wisdom/ Soma passes clamorous through
the filter.
18. Thinking as a rishi, acting as a rishi, gaining
heaven, praised by thousands, the guide of the wise,
the mighty Soma desiring to attain the third
region (heaven) being praised adds lustre to the
illustrious (Indea).
19. Seated on the ladles praiseworthy, competent,
supporting, acquiring cattle, flowing, bearing arms,
attending upon the firmament, the sender of the
waters, the mighty (^(?»*«) attends the fourth sphere.*
20. Cleansing his person like a richly-decorated
man,® flowing to acquire riches like a rapid (horse),
rushing to the receptacle like a bull to the herd,
[Soma) crying repeatedly enters the planks.*
21. Flow, Indtj, purified by the venerable Varga x.
(priests), rush through the filter crying repeatedly,
sporting enter the planks purified, let thy exhilarat-
ing liquor exhilarate Indea.
22. flis copious streams flow forth ; blended with
the milk and curds he enters the pitchers ; uttering
^ It is difficult to express the play on tlie word Icavu which
means wise and a seer or poet. Sayana separates gihhih from
Icavih and explains he passes through the filter with praises.”
^ The region of the moon which is above that of the sun.
® Maryo m kilhrah is exactly Shakespeare’s ^4ike a smug
bridegroom.”
^ Eather, the ladles ; the Soma has already been effused and
filtered.
2 B
YOL. V.
370
RIG-VEDA. SANHITX.
chants the skilful chanter, the omniscient {Soma)
hastens invoking (the gods) towards (the cups) like
(a libertine) to the wife of a friend.
23. 0 Pavamana, eulogized (by the worshippers),
distilling (into the receptacles), destroying the
enemies, thou goest like a gallant to his mistress ;
falling like a bird alighting on the trees the Soma
when purified alights upon the pitchers.
24. The lustres, Soma, of thee when being puri-
fied, approach with abundant milk with copious
streams like a woman (giving milk to her child) ;
the green-tinted Soma, the desired of many, has
been brought to the waters and cries repeatedly
in the pitcher of the god-loving (worshippers).
ANUVXKA YI.
ADHY.^YA IV. Continued. ^
StfKTA I. (XCVII.) ^
The deity and metre as before : the Rishi varies ; Yasxshtha is
that of the first tricha (triplet); of the second Iixdeapeamati;
of the third Veishagana ; of the fourth Manttj; of the fifth
Upamanyu; of the sixth YYienRAPjCn ; of the seventh S'akti;
of the eighth Kvexaseut; of the ninth MeilIka; of the
tenth Yasukra — these ten are all of the Yasishtha gotra :
the Jlhhi of verses 31 to 44 is TaeX^aea the son of S'AEti,
of the rest Kutsa son of Angieas.
var?a XI. 1. 'The shining Soma being purified by the
^ Verses 1 to 3 occur Sama Yeda, II. 6. 2. 8 ; verse 1
also ihid. I. 6. 1. -4. 4.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOITRTH ADHViTA. 371
golden hand that urges it forth, brings its juice into
contact with the gods; when effused it proceeds
with a roar to the filter like the ministrant priest to
the halls prepared (for sacrifice) containing victims.
2. The great wise Soma, clothed in his auspicious
war-vestments, the inspirer of praises — enter into
the vessels when purified, thou who art sagacious
and vigilant at the banquet of the gods.
3. [8oma)^ the most famous of the famous, the
earth-born, the conciliator, is cleansed for us in the
elevated fleece ; sound aloud in the firmament^ when
purified ; do you ever protect us with blessings.
4. ^Sing (to the Soma), let us praise the gods ;
send forth the Soma for (the acquirement of) great
wealth. He passes sweet-flavoured pure through
the fleecy filter ; our (Soma) devoted to the gods
alights on the pitcher.
5. Indu coming to obtain the friendship of the
gods flows in a thousand streams for (their) ex-
hilaration; glorified by the priests (he proceeds)
to his ancient station, he proceeds to Inbra for the
sake of great prosperity (to the worshippers).
6. (Soma), when our praise is offered, flow green- Varga xii
tinted and purified, to (bring us) riches, may thy
exhilarating beverage animate Indra to battle. Go
^ Dhanvd is more probably the imperative of dhanv; the
pada reads dhanva,
® Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 5. 3.
372 EIG-TEDA SA2fHITl.
ia the same car with the gods to (procure us) wealth;
do you ever protect us with blessings.
7. ^Beciting sacred praise like XJsastas the praiser
(Vbishagana)^ proclaims the births of the gods;
assiduous in pious observances, of brilliant radi-
ance, purifying (horn sin), he approaches the filter
making a noise (as) a wild boar (makes a noise)
with its foot.®
8. The Vrishaganas (walking like) swans,^-
(alarmed) at the strength (of the foe), have repaired
to the house of sacrifice, to the swift-shooting foe-
despising {Soma ) ; the friends sound the flute to
the praiseworthy irresistible Pavamdna.
9. He moves rapidly (following) the path of
(him) the much-praised, (other) goers cannot over-
take him (though he is) moving easily ; sharp-
horned he displays manifold (radiance) ; the Soma
^ Yerses 7-9 occur Sama Yeda, II. 4. 2. 1 ; verse 7 also Hid,
I. 6. 1. 4. 2.
® Devah more probably refers to Soma,
® S%ana gives another explanation of mrdhahy effused on
a good (vara) day {ahan) ” — epithet of Soma^ in which case
padd is for paddni and means “ the abodes,” i,e: the filters,”
‘ Say ana gives another explanation of hantsdsah^ wounded
by the enemy ” ; his interpretation of amdt (iatriindm haldt
trdiitdk mntahjsj,^ very improbable, the word bears its ordinary
meaning, “from the neighbourhood ; ” translate “the Vrisha-
ganm have gone from he^ce to their home.” Grassmann takes
wishagandh d,s an epithet of ha^^sdsahj “ sturke Schar bildend
Ludwig follows S^ana.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — ^FOTOTH ADHTIYA. 373
appears green-tinted by day, and clearly visible
at nigbt.^
10. ^The powerful, flowing Soma having q^uan-
tities of juice flowing down, streams forth infusing
strength into Indka for his exhilaration ; conferring
wealth the king of strength slays the Rdkshasas and
harasses the enemy
11. Milked forth by the stones® (the Soma flows Varga x fii.
through the (sheep’s) hair coming into contact with
the gods) with its sweet-flavoured stream ; the
divine exhilarating Indu desiring the jhiendship of
Indea flows for the exhilaration of the deity.
12. Clothed in pleasant radiance suited to the
season the sportive Indu flows purified, reaching the
gods with its juice ; the ten fingers guide it to the
elevated fleece.
13. ‘(Calling out for the praises like) a red bull
bellowing after the kine, the Soma goes with a roar
through heaven and earth ; (his voice) is heard as
* Sayana explains this to mean the Soma is not visible in the
daylight; the word rijra, which he interprets straight-going
{riju-gdmi), i.e. clearly visible, {vispashtah) means properly “red”
or “ brown.”
* Terses 10 to 12 occur Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 20; verse 10 also
Hid. I. 6. 1. 5. 8.
® Benfey’s “ Stier-gemelthe” (buU-milked) is a curious printer’s
error.
* Terses 13 to 15 occur Sama Teda II. 2. 1. 11, with the 2nd
person instead of the 3rd.
374 RIG- VEDA SANHITX,
the voice of Indra, manifesting (himself) he raises
this voice.
14. Pleasant to the taste, dripping with milk
thou flowest pouring forth the sweet-flavoured juice.
Soma, when purified and sprinkled, thou flowest for
Indra in a continuous stream.
15. Thus flow, the exhilarator, for Indra’s ex-
hilaration howing down the rain-holder with (thy)
weapons, assuming a brilliant colour, desirous of our
cattle, flow. Soma, sprinkled (into the filter).
Varga XIV. 16. Gratified (with our praises), Indd, flow into
the large (vessel), granting us riches coming by
holy paths and easily acquired ; beating down the
Rdkshasas on every side as with a club, flow in a
stream upon the elevated fleece.
17. Send us rain from heaven, quick-falling,
food-giving, giving health to our home,^ promptly
munificent: flow, Indd, seeking these lower winds
thy kinsmen ® as (one seeking his) beloved infants.
18. (Soma) when filtered loose (me) bound (by
sin) as (one looseth) a knot ; (grant ip.e) a straight
path and strength. Thou, green-tinted, neighest
like a horse (when thou art) let loose : proceed
^ Sayana interprets samgayim as suhhasya nivamlhutam^ in-
habiting happiness/’
® Because Indra and the winds are in the relation of praised
and praiser. Sayana interprets imdn vdyiin as us approaching
thee,” asmdn fwdm alhigachehhatah.
SEVENTH A8HTAKA — ^FOURTH ADHYXTA. 375
divine (Soma) who art friendly to man, and hast
a dwelling.
19. Indij, who art adequate for exhilaration flow
in a stream to the elevated fleece at the sacrifice ;
thousand-streaming, fragrant, irresistible, flow for
the acquisition of food in the combat.
20. These brilliant Soma juices flow like horses
let loose in battle without reins, without chariots,
unharnessed ; approach them, ye gods, to drink.
21. So, Indu, at our sacrifice pour the water Varga2;v.
from the firmament into the vessels; may Soma
bestow upon us desirable riches in abundance with
male offspring and strength. ,
22. ^When the praise of the zealous worshipper
sanctifies him as that of a noisy (crowd) in front
(praises) a distinguished (prince) for the support
(he affords) ; ® then the cows come to the excellent
exhilarating Indu, the lord (of all, abiding) in the
pitcher, eager to gratify him (with their milk).
23. The divine benefactor of givers, pouring
(boons) on givers, the intelligent {Soma) distils his
true beverage for true (Indea) ; the radiant {Somd)
is the upholder of strength, he is entirely restrained
by the ten fingers.
^ Sama Yeda, L 6. 1. 5. 5.
® Sayana takes dharmani as the reason (nimitta) of the praise,
and explains it as “ the duty of acquisition and preservation (or
the duty of securipjg property)/’ yogakshema-vishmjam karma. The
whole of his interpretation of this half line is extremely laboured.
376
KIG-VEDA SANHITl.
24. Purified by the filters the observer of man,
the sovereign of both gods and mortals, the lord of
abundant wealth [Soma), is twofold ; ^ Indu bears
the auspicious collected water.
26. Hasten (Sojmla) to give food to Indea and
Yatu like a horse, for (the sake of giving us)
food, to acquire wealth ; give us abundant thousand-
fold food ; Soma, when filtered, become the dispenser
of riches.
Varga XVI. 26. May the Somd juices which are gratifying to
the gods when poured around (into the vessels)
bring us a dwelling and male offspring — (the juices)
endeavouring to gain the favour (of the gods),*
desired by all offering (to the gods) in heaven like
the ministrant priests, most exhilarating.
27. Divine Soma, who art the beverage of the
gods, flow at the sacrifice for (their) abundant food ;
urged on (by thee) may we overcome even mightj
(foes) in battle ; purified do thou render heaven and
earth happy abodes (for us).
28. Yoked by the priests, thou neighest like a
horse,” (thou art) terrible as a lion, swifter than
thought; Indu, pour happipess upon us by those
which are the most direct of the paths leading
hitherward.
29. Thy hundred streams manifested for the
'■ i.e. abides amongst both gods and men.
^ Sayana does not explain ayajyavak sumati^i vUwavdrdh.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOURTH ADHYIyA. 377
gods are loose ; the sages cleanse those thousand
(streams) ; pour wealth upon us, Indu, from
heaven ; thou art the precursor of abundant riches.
30. As the rays of the days of the sun are let
loose (so are the streams of the Soma) : a prudent
king does not abandon his friend; as a son perse-
vering in pious acts (wins) his father’s (safety),
do thou pour upon this people immunity from
defeat.
31. ^Thy exhilarating streams are let loose when varga xvii.
thou passest purified through the woollen fleece;
Pavamdna, thou flowest to the supporting (milk)
of the kine, as soon as generated thou fillest the
sun with thy radiance.
32. (The Soma) cries repeatedly upon the path
of the sacrifice ; thou shinest (being) the abode of
immortality; possessing exhilaration thou flowest
for Ihdea, sending forth thy voice with the praises
of the sages.
33. Soma, who art celestial, well-winged, thou
lookest down from heaven,^ pouring forth thy
streams by the pious rite at the sacrifice; Indxt,
enter into the pitcher the receptacle of the Soma ;
crying aloud approach the sun’s rays.
34. *The bearer (of the oblation) utters the three
^ Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 5* 2.
«k ' <
* Sayana takes am ckahihi as imperative.
® Verses 34 to 36 occur Sama Yeda, II. 2. 2. 10 ; verse 34 also
ilii, I. 6, 1. 4. 3.
378
RIQ-TEDA SAIfHrrX.
praises, the thought of Beahma^ that sustains the
sacrifice ; the kine come to the cowherd asking
(to he milked), the praisers proceed to the Soma
with eagerness.
35. The milch kine (are) longing for the Soma . :
wise men (are) inquiring for him with praises;
Sorm being effused is purified blended (with the
milk), our adorations in the trishtubh metre are
united in the Soma.
Targa xviii. 36. Thus poured around (into the vessels), Sorm,
do thou when purified flow for our welfare, enter
with a great noise ^ into Indea, foster our praise,
generate abundant knowledge in us.
37. *The vigilant Soma, the knower of -true
praises, being purified, has sat down in the vessels
— (the Soma) whom the Adhwaryus touch, com-
bined, emulous, leaders of the sacrifice, auspicious-
handed.
38. The purified {Soma) approaches (Tndea) as
the year (approaches) the sun, he fills both heaven
and earth (with his radiance), he opens (the dark-
ness with his light): may he, the beloved {Soma),
whose beloved (streams) are for (our) preservation,
^ Sdyam explains the bearer of the oblation as the worshipper,
the three texts as the Micky Tajmh and Sdmm \ hrahmamh means
**the supreme” {parwriihmya) Soma. In the next line he
explains that the kine come to the Sorm to mix their milk
with him.
^ The S£ma Yeda reads modem for rmem,
® Yerses 87 to 39 occur Sama Yeda, 11. 6. 1. 4.
SBTiieNTH ASHTAKA— BOXTETH ADHYXXA. S79
bestow upon us wealth like (wages given) to a
labourer.
39. May Soma the augmenter (of the gods),
self-augmenting, being purified, the showerer (of
benefits), protect us by his radiance ; through whom
our forefathers, tracing the footmarks, cognizant
of all things, stole the cattle from the rock.^
40 ^The ocean, the royal (Soma), generating
progeny in the outstretched (firmament, the) sup-
porter of the water traverses the universe; the
showerer (of benefits) the brilliant Soma when
efifused increases abundantly in the elevated woollen _
filter.
41. The mighty Soma has achieved this mighty Vaiga xix.
(work) that, being the germ of the waters, he has
nourished the gods ; purified he has given strength.
to Indea ; Indu has generated the light in the sun.
42. Exhilarate Yaxu for (our) food and wealth,
exhilarate Mitea and Vaetjm^a as soon as thou art
filtered ; exhilarate the company of the Maetjts,
exhilarate the gods, exhilarate heaven and earth,
divine Soma,
43. Flow thou who art straightgoing, the slayer
^ The verb ush according to Sayana has here the meaning of
the verb mmh or the m in mushmn is elided. The literal
construction is stole (ransacked) the rock with regard to
(t.tf. for) the cattle.’’ The-^Sama Yeda has uhnan,
* Yerses 40 to 42 occur Sanaa Yeda, II, 5. 2. 1 ; verse 40 also
ihU. L 6. 1. 4. 7.
380
EIG-VEDA SANHITi.
of the crooked-goer, driving away disease and
enemies; mixing thy juice with the juice of the
kine (thou goest to the cups): (thou art) Indea’s
( friend), we (are) thy friends.
44. Pour forth a fountain of wealth distilling
sweet juice, pour upon us male offspring and
riches; flow sweet for Indea, 0 Indtj, when puri-
fied ; and pour riches upon us from the firmament.
- 45. The Soma effused in a stream, going like a
horse, flows powerful like a river down a descent ;
purified he alights on the wooden abode; Indu
mixes with the milk and curds, (mixes) with the
water.
Varga XX. 46. The flowing sagacious Soma flows into the
cups, Indea, for thee, who longest (for him) — all-
seeing, car-home, of adequate vigour, who has
been sent forth like the wish of the god-desiring
(worshippers).
47. Plowing with (his) ancient food, enveloping
the forms of the earth, covering the house of
sacrifice which has a threefold protection,^ (placed)
in the waters he advances, calling aloud at the
oblations like a ministrant priest.
48. Divine Soma, who art car-home, being
filtered (at) our (sacrifice), flow quickly into the
cups;^ most sweet-flavoured in the waters, full
^ It xirotects against cold and rain.
® S^ana here (as frequently elsewhere) explains chamvok as
adhishmanaphalahayoh ; he also tahes apm with parisram.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOUETH ADHT^CYA. 381
of madhu, offered at the sacrifice, stimulator of all,
vho like a god art the object of trae praise.
49. ^Being eulogized, hasten to Vaytt, for (him
to) drink; being purified, hasten to Mixba and
Yaettna; (hasten) to the leader, who is quick as
thought, mounted on a car, to Indea, the showerer,
the wielder of the thunderbolt.
50. Bring us handsome garments, bring us, when
thou art purified, cows easily milked; bring for our
maintenance gratifying gold ; divine Soma, bring us
horses fit for chariots.
51. Bring us celestial treasures, bring us allvargaxxr.
earthly (treasures) when thou art purified ; bring us
(the ability) whereby we may acquire riches, make
our sacred prayer (sweet) as Jamadagni.
52. ^With this filtered stream pour on usMbge
treasures; do thou, Indu, advance to the bro^lffip
water ; at this rite may the sun, rapid as the win^
may (Indea) the object of many sacrifices grant a
son to me approaching (the Soma).
^ Verses 49 to 51 occur Sama Veda, II. 6. 2, 18.
Verses 52 to 54 occur Sama Veda, II. 4. 1. 21 ; verse 52
also ibid, 1. 6 . 15. 9.
® Sayana explains mdmschatwe as manyamdndm chdtahe
scaring away (?) tliose who are respectful.’’ Perhaps we ought
to read manyamdndm chetake who is mindful of those who are
respectful,” or manyamdndm chetaha ahhimanyamdndm vd chdtah.
See Sayana on. VII. 44. 3. The word hadhrah is explained as
“ the illuminator of all or the root of all — the sun.”
382
UIG-TEDA SASTHITI.
53. And flow with this filtered stream at the
renowned station of thee who art worthy of renown ;
(the Soma) the destroyer of enemies has shaken
down (for us) sixty thousand treasures for victory
as (one shakes) a tree whose fruit is ripe.
54. These two great acts, the raining (of arrows)
and the humiliatior) (of foes), are the givers of
happiness ; they are deadly either in a fight on
horseback or in a hand to hand fight ; ^ he has put
the foes to sleep and driven them away ; do thou.
(Soma) drive away the enemies and unbelievers.^
55. Thon reachest the three outstretched filters,
thou hastenest to the one (filter) ® being purified ;
thou art Bhaoa, thou art the donor of gifts, thou
IxDU art more afiluent than the affluent.
Varga XXII. 56. This all-knowing sage Soma, the sovereign of
the whole world, flows forth ; distilling his drops at
the sacrifices, IxDU pa.sses through the sheep’s hair
on both sides.
57. The adorable, unassailable (deities) sip the
juice, they hail it at its station like worshippers
greedy (of wealth); the skilful priests send forth
* Mdmschafwe is licrc explained as * **a horse/’ t.e. a battle
foiipilit with horses, and is dorived from mahhi charaii; priiane
is explained lus huhurfuddhey an arm -fight (personal combat).
^ Aehitdh is explained as those who do not make an ugni^
chnifmiam (pivparution of the sacred fireplace), i,e. infidels.
The three are the fire, wind and sun; the one is the woollen
filter.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — EOUETH ADHTIyA. 383
the Soma with their ten fingers, they anoint its
body with the fluid of the waters.
58. May we ever, Soma, with thee who art,
purified, (as our ally} win much wealth in battle ;
so may Mitra, Vartjna, Anm, Sindhtj, heaven and
earth enrich us.
S^KTA II. (XCVIII.)
The Rishis are Ambakisha the son of the Rdjd YbishXgie and
RijfswAK son of the RisJii BhakadwIja; the metre is
Anushtulhj except of the eleventh verse, which is BrihatL
1. 'Bring us, Indtt, strength bestowing riches, Viirga xxiii.
desired by many, supporting many, far-celebrated
and overcoming mighty (foes).
2. When eflPused the Soma juice flows to the
woollen^ (filter) as (a warrior) in a chariot is covered
in mail; fitted into the wooden (cask), hurrying
forth, it flows in streams.
3. ®The Soma juice being effused flows through
the fleece diffusing exhilaration ; who, being exalted
goes to the sacrifice in a stream desiring the milk
and curds as (he goes to the firmament) with
radiance.
4. For thou, divine Indh, grantest riches to every
* Sama Yeda, L 6. 2. 1. 5, and 11. 5. 1. 16. 1,
* Brund is taken hy Sayana with hiydnah {tern pitryamdnah\
and hitak is explained as ** sent forth on all sides*' or praised
by the worshippers.**
* Sanaa Veda, IL 5. 1. 16. 3.
384
RIG-VEDA SANHITI.
man ^ who offers libations, thousand-fold and hundred-
fold treasure.
5. ^Slayer of enemies, may we be thy (people) ;
Vastj, (may we be) extremely near thy much-
coveted wealth ; irresistible (Soma), may we he
near happiness.
Varga XXIV. 6. ^Whom, celebrated, expressed by the stones,
dear to Indea, beloved (by all) moving in streams,
the twice five sister (fingers) bathe (in the sacred
waters) —
7. ^Him, coveted (by all), green-tinted, brown,
they purify with the filter; who goes to all the
gods with (his) exhilaration.
8. For you by his protection have drunk the
strengthening (juice of that Soma) who, beloved (by
all) like the sun, has bestowed abundant food upon
his w'orshippers.
9. Divine heaven and earth the progeny of
Manu, the Soma juice is generated at your sacrifices,
radiant, abiding in the grinding stones ; (the
priests) bruise him at the loud-sounding ceremony.
10. ®Thou art poured forth. Soma, for Indea,
’ Sayaaa expkins daiwaie as,“ mimerous as being possessed of
children, etc.”
» S^ma Veda, II. 5. 1. 16. 2.
> S^ima Veda, II. 6. 2. 18. 2.
* SSma Veda, I. 6. 2. 18 ; II. 5. 2. 18. 1 ; H. 8. 2. 8. 3.
‘ Sama Veda, II. 5. 2. 18. 3, and 8. 2. 8. 1, with vlrdya for
devdya.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — EOTIETH ADHTItA. 385
the slayer* of the Vrii/ra^ to drink; and for the
munificent "worshipper who sits in the halls of
sacrifice (to give oblations) to the god.
11. Those ancient Soma juices flow into the filter
at the dawns, driving away in the early morning
the concealed and ignorant thieves.
12. ^May you and, we, intelligent friends, eat the
bright 8(ma fragrant and invigorating, may we
obtain food and dwellings.
StfsxA III. (XCIX.)
The RisMs are the two RE-BHASiJircs * of the family of Xa^tapa,;
the metre of verse 1 is Brihatiy of the rest AnusJituhJi,
1. ’They stretch the bow of manhood for thevargaxxv.
beloved courageous ^8oma)\ (the priests) wishing
to worship spread out the white filter^ for the
mighty [Soma) in the presence of the sage (deities).
2. ’Consecrated at the end of the night (the
Soma) plunges into the viands,® when the fingers
of the worshipper press out the green-tinted (juice)
to go (to the vessels).
3. ’We purify the juice of that Soma which is
' Sama Veda, II. 8. 2. 8. 2.
^ Not '^Eeblia and Sunn.’’ The word RelTimiinu means ‘'son
of Rebha,’’ cf. our "Johnson’’ "Williamson,” etc,
® Sama Veda, I. 6. 2. 1. 7.
^ Nirnijafh my anti is probably "they weave a garment.”
■ ® Sama Veda, 11. 8. 1. 6. 1, with ydhase.
® Benfey, "tanchst in die Opferspeisen.”
’ Sama Veda, IL 8. 1. 6. 2.
386
RIG-TBDA SANHITi.
exhilarating and fit for Indea’s drinking; which
the approaching* worshippers both now and of old
take up in their mouths.
4. ^They celebrate the purified Soma juice with
an ancient hymn of praise, and the fingers exercising
their pressure are able (to prepare the oblation)
for the gods.
6. Him sprinkled (with water) the supporter (of
all things) they purify in the woollen filter; the
wise (worshippers) instruct® him as a messenger
to proclaim (their prayers) beforehand (to the gods).
Varga XXVI. 6. The most exhilarating Soma, being purified,
alights on the vessels; putting his seed (in the
vessels) as in a heifer, the protector of the rite is
worshipped.
7. Effused for the gods, the God Soma is cleansed
by the skilful (priests); when he is recognized
amongst these (people) as the giver (of riches), he
plunges into the mighty waters.
8. When effused, Indti, and collected by the
priests, thou art guided to the filter ; thou alightest
on the cups for Iedra, exciting exceeding exhila-
ration.
^ In addition to this fanciful interpretation of gavah^ Sayana
gives another, ‘‘which the cows take np in their months,”
eating it in the form of grass. Ludwig tak<‘s purd to refer to
gdvahj and nunarn to siirayah.
^ Sama Yeda, II. 8. 1.6. 3.
® Sayana e*xplains idsate as “they desire him.”
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FOURTH ADHYXyA. 387
StJKTA IV. (C.) ^
The Rishis as before ; metre AnusJitulh
1. 'The innocent waters repair to Soma dear to Varga xxvil.
Indea and beloved (of all), as the maternal kine lick
the new-born calf at the beginning of its life.
2. Indu Soma, when purified bring us the riches
of both worlds ; thou fosterest all treasures in the
house of the donor (of the libation).
3. Let loose thy stream which is as rapid as
thought ; as the clo'ud (let loose) the rain ; thou
Soma fosterest terrestrial and celestial treasures.
4., Thy stream when thou art effused, swift-
flowing, bountiful, rushes through the sheep’s hair
like the horse of a victorious (hero).
6. Sage Soma flow in a stream for our enlighten-
ment and invigoration, poured forth for Indra,
Mitea and Varuna to drink.
6. ^riow, Soma, who art the giver of food in a xxviii
stream, when effused, to the filter; (flow) Soma
who art most sweet for Indra, for Yishnu, for the
gods.
7. ®The innocent maternal (waters) caress thee,
the green-tinted, upon the filter, 0 Pavamana, at
the sacrifice, as milch kine caress their new-born
calf.
’ Rama Veda, I. 6. 2. 1. 6.
* Sama Veda, II. 3- 2. 19. 1, with lujandUye.
’ Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 19. 2.
388
Ria-YEDA ISANHITi.
Vtrgal.
8. PAVAMAiiTA, thou traverscst the vast firmament^
with various rays, hastening on thou dispellest all
Rdkahasas at the house of the donor (of the libation).
9. * Observer of manifold rites, thou supportest
both heaven and earth; 0 Pavamana, (who art
endowed) with greatness, thou puttest on thy coat
of mail.
ADHYA'YA Y.
MANDALA IX. Continued.
ANUYAKA YI. Continued.
StiEXA V. (Cl.)
The deity is PavamAna Soma; the EisM of the first triclia
(triplet) is ANDHiou son of S'yXvI4va, of the second YatIti
son of the i2q;a -K ahusew., of the third the Rajarslii Nahijsha
the son of Mantj, of the fourth Manu the son of the Edjd.
Samvaeana, of the last four verses PeajXpati son of YXch or
of Yi^wXmitra; the metre of the 2nd and 3rd verses is
GdyaM, of the rest Anuahtuhh,
1. ®Por (the drinking of) the effused exhilarating
(juicel of the Soma who has placed victory before
you, do you friends destroy the long-tongued dog.^
* S'ravah meaning iravaniyam, sc. antariksham.
» Sama Veda, II. 2. 2. 19. 3.
^ Verses 1 to 3 occur with variations, Sama Veda, II. 1. 1.18;
verse 1 also, ihid. I. G. 2. 1. 1.
‘ i.e. prevent the dogs or ltdkshasas from lapping the Soma.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIETH ADHTITA. 389
2. The Indu good for sacred rites which when
effused dows forth in a purifying stream, (swift) as
a horse: —
3. Him, the Soma, unassailable, adorable, the
priests, with all comprehending intelligence, express
with the stones.
4. ‘The sweet-flavoured exhilarating Soma juices
effused (and) filtered flow for Indea; do you, ex-
hilarating (juices), proceed to the gods.
6. The devout (worshippers) say Indu flows
forth for Indea : ” the lord of speech [Soma) sove-
reign of all by his might desires (our) worship.
6. The thousand-streamed ocean, Soma the stimu- Varga ii.
lator of praise, the lord of riches, the friend of Indea
flows day by day.
7. *This Soma being purified hastens (to the
pitcher) fostering, wealth-giving, to be enjoyed
(by all); the lord of all beings, he has illuminated
both heaven and earth.
8. The affectionate emulous cows ® celebrate
(^Soma) for his exhilaration; the brilliant filtered
(^Soma) juices make paths (for themselves to flow).
9. Bring’ to us, filtered (Soma), that celebrated
(liquor) which is most potent, which (waits) upon
^ Yerses 4 to 6 occur Sama Yeda, II. 2. 2. 15 ; verse 4 also
ihtd. I. 6. 2. 1. 3.
* Yerses 7 to 9 occur Sama Yeda, II. 2. 1. 16; verse 7 also
ibid, I. 6. 2. J.; 2.
® Or ‘^voicfes of praise.’^
390 MG- VEDA SAJifHrr/.
the five orders of beings and by which we may
obtain riches.
10. ^The brilliant Soma juices flow for us know-
ing the right path, friendly (to the gods), effused,
sinless, contemplative, all-knowing.
Varga III. 11. Effused by the stones, recognized upon the
cowhide, acquirers of wealth they bestow food upon
us from all sides.^
12. These filtered Soma juices intelligent mixed
with curds swift-moving firm in the water (are)
brilliant as suns.
13. ®Let no mortal* hear the sound of the effused
Soma) drive off the dog that sacrifices not as the
Bhmgtts drove oft' Makha.
14. {Soma) the kinsman (of the gods) is en-
veloped in the investing filter like a child in the
arms of its protecting parents; he hastens like a
gallant to a ^mistress, like a bridegroom (to the
bride), to sit upon his station (the pitcher}.
16. The green-tinted (Soma), the implement of
^ Terses 10 to 12 occur Sama Yeda, II. 4. 1. 20; verse 10
also ibid. I. 6, 2. 1. 4,
Lit. “ they sounded food for us.’^
® Yerses 13 to 15 occur Saraa Yeda, II. 6. 2. 3 ; verse 13 also
ibid. I. 6. 2. 1. 9, and 11. 1. 2. 22. 3.
* Sayana, ‘*lIo death-giving, * rite-obstructing dog,”
suggested of course by the second line of the verse ; arddhasam
In the next line may mean merely stingy.” S^ana’s rddhaJea-
harmaraliitam is etymologically correct. ^^I)og” is not metot
literally.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ABHTXtA. 391
strength, the hero, who has upheld heaven and earth,
is enveloped in the filter like the sacrificer (in his
house) to sit upon his station.
16. The Soma flows purified hy the sheep's
hairs ; crying aloud upon the cowhide the showerer
(of benefits), green-tinted he goes to Iivdea’s pre-
pared station.
St-KTA VI. (CIT.)
The RisM is Teita the metre is Uslinik
1. ^Performing (sacred rites) the child of thevargaiv.
great (waters) sending forth the lustre of the sacri-
fice (Soma) produces all acceptable (oblations) and
(abides) in the two worlds.
2 When the Soma has taken the secret station
of the grinding stones (at the sacrifice) of Trita,
then with the seven supports of the sacrifice^
(the priests praise) the conciliating (Soma).
3. (Support, Soma,) with thy stream Trita’s
three (oblations) ; cause the giver of riches (Indra)
to come to the sacred songs. The intelligent
(praiser) of this (Indra) measures out hymns.®
^ Yerses 1 to 3 occur Sama Yeda, II. 3. 2, 18, with, prana
for hrdnd; verse 1 also thid. 6. 2. 3. 5.
^ i*e. With the seven metres; or, deriving? sapta from srip^
‘Hhey effuse the Soma with the Vasativari water.’'
® Yojandni rather means ‘‘roads*' or “stages.” In Ms
commentary on Eig-Yeda, I. 18. 5, Say ana says yojana is
“ a means for inducing the gods yoke their horses,” i.e.
“ a hymn.”
392
EIG-VEDA SAITHITi.
4. ‘The seven mothers^ instruct the {Soma) the
institutor (of the sacrifice) "when horn- for the
prosperity (of the worshippers), so that this firm
Soma is cognisant of riches.
5. The universal gods, devoid of malice, assembled
together at his rite, are to be -envied if being
delighted they take pleasure (in the Soma).
Yaiga V. 6. The germ which the augmenters of the rite
brought forth at the sacrifice lovely to look upon,
intelligent, most adorable, desired by many.
7. He of his own will approaches the great
united parents of the sacrifice (heaven and earth)
when (the priests) ponducting the ceremony anoint
him in due order (with the sacred waters).
8. Soma, by thy act drive away with thy brilliant
organs the darkness from the sky, effusing into the
sacrifice (thy juice) the lustre® of the rite.
SfeA VII. (CIII.)
Tke EuM is Dwixa ; metre as before.
Varga YL 1. Raise a loud voice to Soma the institutor (of
the rite), purified, gratified by praises, as (men
pay) wages (to a labourer).
* Sama Veda, I. 2. 1. 1. 5.
* t.e. the seven rivers, the Ganges, ete. : or the seven metres.
Yat in the next line is explained as * ** because, and another
apodosis is supplied, “ tasmdd . . . dhandMsamrMMr fhamtiP
® Sayana here derives didhitim from dhri the supporter of
the rite.”
^ Sama Veda, T. 6. 2. 3. 8.
SEVENTH ASHXAKA — EIEIH ADHYIyA. 393
2. Blending with the curds and milk the Soma
rushes through the woollen fleece ; the green-tinted
Soma being purified takes up three stations.^
3. The Soma sends forth (its juice) through the
woollen fleece to the honey-dripping receptacle;
the seven metres of the Mishin praise (it).
4. Soma, the leader of praises, in whom all the
gods are comprehended, unassailable, green-tinted
when filtered enters the cups.®
5. Proceed in the same chariot with Tndra to
the celestial hosts a priest purified by priests,®
immortal.
6. Like a charger eager for the combat the divine
(Soma) effused for the gods hastens when purified
spreading widely into the vessels.
^ i.e, tlie dronahalasa (‘‘wooden cask^’), ddJiavaniya (“that
into which, the Soma may run’’), and (“holding the
filtered Soma ”).
® ChamiLshUf see p. 380.
® S%ana explains vdghatj etc, as “carried by the priests”
or “fetching wealth for the worshippers,”
394
EIG-VEDA SAKHlTi.
ANUYA'KA VII.
ASHTAKA VIL Continued.
ADHYATA V. Continued. .
StJKTA I. (CIV.)
The MisMs are Pabvata and NIeada sons of Kanva ; or else the
two SiKHANniNts the Apsarases daughters of Kai^tapa are the
drashtrVs (seers) of this hymn.
1. ^Sit down, friends, sing to . the filtered Soma,
decorate him with offerings to beautify him as
(parents decorate) a child.
2. Associate him the support of the mansion with
the maternal (waters) as the calf (with the mother) —
the protector of the gods, the exhilarator, endowed
with twofold strength,
3. Purify the bestower of strength so that he may
make for invigoration for the banquet (of the gods)
and may grant much happiness to Mitea and to
Taetoa.
4. Por us do the hymns glorify thee the giver of
wealth ; we clothe thy form with the (products of
the) kine.
5. Lord of our exhilaration, Ihdtj, thou art of
brilliant form ; be our true guide as a Mend is to
a Mend.
6. Show us (thine) ancient (friendship); (drive
* Verse# 1 to 8 occur Same Veda, II. 4. 2. 9 ; verse I also
iia. I. 6. 2. 3. 3.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHTIYA. 395
off) the voracious the impious, the double
dealer — drive away our sin.
SrjKTA II. (CV.)
The Rkhis are Paevata and JTXeada ; the metre as before.
1. ^Hymn, friends, the Soma purified for the vai^avm.
exhilaration (of the gods), gratify him with obla-
tions and praises as (men gratify) a child (with,
ornaments).
2. Indu being sent forth is sprinkled (with the
waters) as a calf (is nourished) by its mother — the
protector of the deities, the exhilarator, graced by
praises.
3. This {Soma) is an instrument for invigoration ;
he (is useful) for speed (and) for the banquet of thy
gods; he is effused most sweet flavoured for the gods.
4. ® Powerful Indu who art effused, pour upon us
(wealth) comprising cattle and horses ; I mix the
pure juice with the curds and milk.
5. Lord of our bay-coloured (cattle), Indu, who
hast a most brilliant form, do thou who art kind to
the priests be for a light to us as a friend (gives
light) to a friend.
6. Do thou (show) us thy ancient (friendship),
drive away the impious voracious {Rdkshasa) ; Indtt
^ Yerses 1 to 3 occur Sama Tetla, II. 4. 1. 19; verse 1
also Hid, I. 6. 2. 3. 4\
* Verses 4 to 6 occur Sama 11, 7, 3. 20; versed also
ihid^ I. 6. 2. 3. 9. The Sama dkdraya for dMhamm
Varga IX.
396 BIG- VEDA SANHIT^.
wh .0 art victorious overcome those who oppress us,
(drive) off the double-dealing [RdJcshasa).
S6kta III. (CVI.)
The of tlie first triplet is Agn-i tiie son of Chakshttsh:, of
the second triplet Chakshxjsh: the son of Mako, of the third
Makij the son of Apstr, of the rest Agni the son of CHAKsmiSH ;
the metre as before.
1. ^May these effused green-tinted Soma juices
quickly generated all-knowing proceed to Indra the
showerer (of benefits).
2. This effused Soma adorable for battle, is filtered
for Indra;^ Soma thinks of the victorious (Indra)
as he is known (in the world).
3. In the Soma's exhilaration may Indba seize
hold of wealth to be enjoyed (by all) and conquering
the Vritra in the waters® maybe wield the thunder-
bolt the showerer (of blessings).
4. ‘Flow Soma who art vigilant; Indit spread
around for Indra ; bring brilliant overpowering all-
obtaining (strength).
5. Pour forth for Indra the exhilarating (juice)
^ Verses 1 to 3 occur Sama Veda, II. 1. 1. 17 ; verse 1 also
iUd. L 6. 2. 3. 1.
* Bather “ this munificent ejffused Soma is filtered for Indra’s'
sustenance/^ indrdya lhardya a gerundial construction.
® ** Conq[uermg the Vritra for the sake of the waters/’ or
** conquering AM in the firmament.”
*• Sima Veda, I. 6. 2. 3. 2.
SEYENTH ASHTAKA — PIFTH ADHTXYA. 397
showering (benefits), thou who art very beautiful,
who hast many paths, the finder of the (right) path,
the observer (of all).
6. Thou who art the best finder of paths for us, Varga x.
the sweetest beverage for the gods, come by a
thousand paths crying aloud.
7. 'Flow, Indtj, in thy strength with thy streams
for the banquet of the gods; sit down. Soma, who
art sweet-fiavoured, in our pitcher.
8. Thy drops, going to the water, have exalted
IxDEA to exhilaration; the gods have quaffed thee,
the delighter, for immortality.
9. Bring us wealth, bright Soma juices effused,
filtered, filling the sky with rain, shedding water
(upon the earth), acquiring all things.
10. ^Soma being filtered fiows in a stream through
the woollen fleece, crying aloud when filtered in
advance of the voice (of praise).
11. They send forth with their fingers^ the Varga xi.
powerful Sorm sporting in the water, passing
through the fleece ; praises celebrate him abiding
in the three receptacles.
12. Deshing (to give the worshipper) food he
has been let loose into the pitchers like a charger
^ Yerses 7 to 9 occur Sama Yeda, 11. 5. 2. 17 ; verse 7 also
Hid, 1. 6. 2. 3. 6.
® Yerses 10 to 12 occur Sanaa Yeda, 11. 3. 1. 18; verse 10
also ibid, L 6. 2. 3. 7.
^ Dhibih as if for ahttilih^ or by their praises.”
398
RIS-VEDA SANHITI.
in battle; being filtered, raising a cry be flows
(into the vessels).
13. ^The delightful green-tinted (juice) flows with
rapidity into the crooked (pitchers) ; bringing the
worshippers food and male ofispring.
14. ^Devoted to the gods flow with that (stream);
(thy) streams of exhilarating liquor are let loose;
with a roar thou passest through the filter, in all
directions.
StJkta IY. (CYII.)
The ^isMs are the Seven Bishis ” BhaeadwIja, Kai^tapa, etc.;
verses 3 and 16 are Dwi^add. Virdj (containing 20 syllables);
verses 8-10 JBrihati, the rest Frdgdtha {Brihati and 8aio^
Irihati alternately).
VaigaXii. 1. * Sprinkle from hence the effused ^i/raa-juice
which is the best oblation (to the gods), And which,
good for man, is going into the midst of the firma-
ment ; (the priest) has expressed the Soma with the
stones.
2. ■‘(Soma) who art unassailable, who art most
fragrant, flow around now being purified by the
fleece ; being effused we praise thee eminent in the
waters mixing thee with food® and the (products
of the) kine.
’ Sdma Yeda, T. 6. 2. 3. 1 1 ; and II. 1. 2. 22. 2.
* Sama Yeda, II. 1. 2. 22. 1.
* Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 3. 2 ; and II. 5. 2. 12. 1 ; Tajur Yeda,
XIX. 2. * Sdma Yeda, II. 5. 2. 12. 2.
“ Andhaid the Scholiast says here means aaMu “ flour.”
SEVENTH A8HTAKA — FIFTH ADHTIYA. 399
3. ^ Being effused the Indu flows so as to he seen
(of all) — the exhilarator of the gods, the agent (in
holy acts), the observer of all.
4 ^ Undergoing purification thou flowest Soma in
a stream clothed in the (consecrated) waters ; the
giver of wealth thou sittest on the place of sacrifice ,
divine (Soma), who flowest forth, who art the origin
of gold.®
5. Milking the exhilarating agreeable celestial
udder ^ (the Soma) sits down on its ancient place
of aggregation (the firmament) ; food-giving,
cleansed by the priests, observant it flows to the
commendable worshipper.
6. ®SoMA, who art purified, vigilant, agreeable
(thou flowest) through the woollen fleece ; thou art
intelligent, the chief of the Angieasas, sprinkle
our oblation with thy exhilarating juice,
7. Soma flows forth the showerer of benefits,
the best of path-finders, a Mishi, a sage, all dis-
criminating; thou art a seer, most devoted to
the gods; thou hast made the sun to mount the
sky.
^ Sama Yeda, 11. 5. 2. 12. 3.
^ Yerses 4 and 5 occur Sanaa Yeda, IL 1. 1. 9 ; verse 4 also
ihid, L 6. 1, 3, 1.
® Sayana’s optional interpretation, devdndm Mtaramamyah
seems to make one word dev ahir any ayah in the text.
^ the Soma creeper.
® Sama Yeda, I. 6. 1. 3. 9.
400
EI6-VEDA. SANHITI,
8 ^Effused by the eflfusers Soma is poured out
upon the elevated fleeces ; and proceeds with its
green-tinted stream, as on a mare, proceeds with its
exilarating stream.
9. Soma combined with the produce of the kine
flows with the kine into the pitcher,^ he flows with
the milked kine; his enjoyable juices go (to the
pitcher as waters) to the ocean, the exhilarating
(Soma) is expressed for the exhilaration (of the
gods).
10. ® Expressed by the stones, Soma, (passing)
through the sheep’s hairs, green-tinted, entering
the cups as a man (enters) a city, thou takest thy
seat in the wooden (vessels).
Varga XIV. 11. Desirous of (bestowing) food, passing through
the interstices of the fleece the Soma is adorned like
a horse in the battle ; the Pavamana^ to be rejoiced
in (by all, praised) by the intelligent, the sages, the
reciters of sacred songs.
12 ^ Thou art fed with water. Soma, like a river,
for the banquet of the gods ; with the juice of thy
^ Yerses 8 and 9 occur Sanaa Yeda, II. 3. 2. 12 ; verse 8 also
ihid, I. 6. 1. 3. 5.
* Aniijpe = on tlie bank, or in a watery low-lying place
(nmne deie).
® Yerses 10 and 11 occur Sama Yeda, II. 8. 2. 12 ; verse 10
also IMd. I. 6, 1. 3. 3.
* Yerses 12 and 13 occur Sama Yeda, II. 1. 2. 20. 1 ; verse
12 also thid, I. 6. 1. 3. 4.
SE7BKTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHYXYA. 401
filament thou goest to the honey-dropping receptacle,
exhilard,ting, vigilant.
13. Agreeable afifectionate like a son about to be
decorated, the Soma is clad in a shining robe ; * they
send him with their arms into the streams as active
(warriors send their) chariot into (battle).
14. ^The swift Somas send forth their inebriating
juice upon the uplifted (filter) of the firmament,
intelligent, exhilarating, all-acquiring.
15. The divine royal (Soma) vast and true,® under-
going purification traverses the firmament in a
stream; vast and true, being sent forth he flows
for the support of Mitea and Vaetjna.
16. Eegulated by the priests, the divine royal Soma,
agreeable, intelligent, abiding in the firmament —
17. ^Exhilarating, flows, when effused, for Ihdea
attended by the Maritts ; thousand-streamed he
passes through the fleece ; men cleanse him.
18. Purified in the cups,® exciting laudation, the
sage Sotm rejoices amongst the gods ; clothed with
the waters sitting in the Wooden bowls, he is sur-
rounded with the curds and milk.
^ the filter.
® Verses 14 to 16 occur Sanaa Veda IL 2. 2. 9; verse 14 also
thid, I. 6. 1. 3. 8.
^ In both lines Sayana refers rUam Irihat to the 8om<ii,
{atyantam Batyahhiitah).
* Sanaa Veda, L 6. 1. 3. 10.
* Chamk for chamiishu^ Sayana effused on the planks.”
2 B
VOL. V.
402
RIG-VEDA SANHITi;.
19. *In thy friendship, Indtj Soma, I have re-
joiced day by day; many {Ealcshasas) assail me,
tawny-coloured ( Soma) ; overcome these who sur-
round me.
20, (delight) in thy presence, tawny-Coloured
Soma, both day and night, for the sake of thy
friendship may we soar like birds far beyond the
sun® blazing with thy light.
Varga xvx. 21. ^Fair-fingered (Soma) being cleansed thou
utterest a sound in the pitcher; thou bringest,
Pavamana, ample golden-hued much-coveted wealth.
22. The showerer of benefits, cleansed and filtered
in the woollen fleece, thou criest aloud in the water ;
Soma Pavamana, mixed with the curds and milk,
thou goest to the prepared (station) of the gods.
23. ®Flow, Soma, to all praises to procure food
(for us) ; thou, the exhilarator of the gods, art the
chief supporter of the firmament,
24. Flow quickly. Soma, with thy supports, to
the terrestrial and celestial worlds ; the sages
‘ Sama Veda, I. 6. 1, 3. 6; II. 3. 1. 11. 1.
* Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 11. 2, with, tavdhafh for utdhafhy and
duMmhk for mhhydya, j
^ Saya^a makes parak an adjective agreeing with siiryarn^ and
explains Biiryam as meaning the 8oma may we fly to thee, the
distant mnJ*
* Verses 21 and 22 occur Sama Veda, 11. 4. l: 12, with
vaiiations; verse 21 also ibid. I. 6. 1, 3. 7.
^ Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 3. 11 j with several variations.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA. — FIFTH ADHTXTA. 403
express thee radiant, 0 observer of all, with praises
and witli their fingers.
25. *Thy purified juiees are let flow through the
filter in a stream accompanied by the Maruts,
exhilarating, pleasing Indea, swift-moving,* bringing
praise and food.
26. Indu clothed with waters effused by the
worshippers rushes to the receptacle, generating
light, identifying its form with the (products of
the) kine, he covets now (our) praises.
StJkta V. (cvni.)
The l^uM of verses 1 and 2 is GAXJBmxi the son of S!akti ; of
the third S'azti the son of Vasishtha ; of the 4th and 5th
If Bn of the race of Angiras; of the 6th and 7 th RuxiiwAN
the son of BnABAnvirA ; of the 8th and 9th IfEDHASABMAN’ of
the race of Angiras; of the 10th and 11th Xbttaya^as also
of the race of Angibas; of the 12th and 13th the rdjarshi
ErpTAircHAXA : of the rest S^kti. The metre is Kdlmbha
JPrdgdthaf i.e. Kalcubh and SatohAhati alternately, except
verse 13, which is Gdyatri Yavamcdhyd.
1. 'Soma, who art most sweet-flavoured, most yarga xvn.
intelligent, the exhilaratdr, flow for Indra, the
great, the most brilliant, the exhilarator.
2. By drinking whom the showerer Inbea is
invigorated, by drinking thee who art the beholder
^ Sama Veda, I. 6. 1. 3. 12.
* Maydh “horses,’’ Sayana gantdrah,
^ Verses 1 and 2 occnr Sama Veda, II. 1. 1. 16; verse 1 also
Hid. I. 6. 2. 4. 1.
4U4
EIG-VEDA SANHITA.
of everything, the intelligent (Indea) reaches the
viands (of the enemy) as a horse (reaches) the battle.
3. ^ For thou, Pavamana, who art most brilliant,
quickly shontest to the races of the gods for (the
sake of their) immortality: —
4. (Thou) through whom Dadhyanch the offerer
of the nine days’ rite opened (the cave), through
whom the rishis recovered, (the stolen cows),
through whom under the protection of the gods
the worshippers obtained the sustenance of the
delicious (ambrosial) water —
5. ^This {Soma) when effused flows most exhilar-
ating through the woollen fleece, sporting like a
wave of water.
Varga xviii. 6. ® Thou who by thy might extricated from the
rock the quick-moving kine abiding in the waters,
thou hast spread out a pasturage for cattle and
horses; like a mailed (warrior) slay (the Asuras),
brave (Soma).
7. * Pour forth (the Soma), sprinkle it round like
a horse, adorable, dispenser of rain, dispenser of
light, showerer of fluid, swimming in water —
' Verses 3 and 4 occur Sama Veda, II. 3. 1. 17 ; verse 3 also
ihid. I. 2. 4. 6.
^ 8ama Veda, I. 6. 2. 4. 7.
® Sama Veda, I. 6. 2. 4. 8. Sayana interprets tlius : Who
by his might cut the quick moving waters of the firmament
from out of the cloud, thou gettest a herd of cattle and horses.’*
^ Verses 7 and 8 occur Sama Veda, II. 6. 2. 6; verse 7 also
ibid. I. 6. 2. 4. 3.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHTItA. 405
8. Thousand-streamed, showerer of benefits,
augmenter of water, affectionate; (pour it forth)
for the race of the gods which water-born is fostered
by the water, the ting, the god, the true, the great.
9. ^Divine (Soma) lord of viands, who art de-
voted to the gods, bestow upon us brilliant and
abundant food ; separate the mid-aerial receptacle.
10. Come, powerful (Soma) effused into the cups,*®
like a prince the sustainer of the people ; pour the
course of the wafers, the rain from heaven ; accom-
plish the rites for the worshipper who seeks cattle.
11. *H!im have they milked from heaven, the Varga xis.
shedderof exhilarating juice the thousand-streamed,
the showerer (of benefits), bearing all treasures.
12. The showerer (of benefits) is manifested be-
getting (light) immortal, destroying the darkness
with (his) radiance ; glorified by the wise he has
assumed his shining robe ; ^ the triple (oblation is
supported) by his act.
13. *The /Soma has been effused who is the
bringer of treasures, the briuger of riches, the
bringpr of food, the bringer of fair homes : —
’ Verses 9 and 10 occur Sama Veda, II. 3. 2. 17 ; verse 9 also
liid. I. 6. 2. 4. 2.
^ Sayana adhishava'^plialaJiayoh “ in the planks of the
mne-presB.” ® Sama Veda, I. 6. 2. 4. 4.
* He has blended himself with the milk, etc., for the sake of
being cleansed.
‘xyerses 13 and 14 occur Sama Veda, 11. 4. 1.18 ; verse 13
also I. 6 2. 4. 5.
\
406
RIG-YEDA SANHITl.
14. Our {Soma) wMoli Indea drinks, which the
Maetits drink and Bhaga with Aryamajs" ; through
which we propitiate Mixea and Vaeuna and Iiojea,
to obtain his powerful protection.
15. Soma, collected by the priests, well-armed,
most exhilarating, most sweet-flavoured, flow for
IsTOEA to drink.
16. Soma, enter the Somadhdna, Iotea’s heart,
as the rivers (enter) the sea agreeable to Miiea,
Vaettsta and Yatu, the chief stay of heaven.
SxiKTi. VI. (CIX.)
The Riahis are the Agms of sacrifice said to be the sons o|
Kwaka : the metre Dwipadd Virdj\
Varga XX. 1. ^ Flow, Soma, who art sweet-flavoured, for
Indba, Miiea, PtIshan and Bhaga.
2. Soma, let Indea and all the gods drink of thee
when effused for intelligence and strength.
3. So do thou who art pure, divine, the beverage
of all the gods, flow for immortality and a spacious
abode.
4. ^ Plow, Soma, who art mighty, the shedder of
juice, the parent of the gods, towards all bodies.
5. Soma, who art brilliant, flow for the gods and
(give) joy to heaven and earth and all creatures.
* Verses 1 to 3 occur Sama Veda, II. 6. 1. 8; verse 1 also
ibid. I. 5. 1. 5. 1.
* Verses 4 to 6 occur Sama Veda, II. 5. 1. 17 ; verse 4 also
ibid. I. 5. 1. 6. 3.
SBVmi'Ji ASHTAZA — FIFTH ADHTXYA. 407
6. Thou art the' upholder of heaven, radiant and
good to drink; flow thou who art strong, at the
truthful sacrifice.
7. * Do thou, Soma, who art possessed of food,
who hast a copious stream, flow through the great
sheep’s hairs in due succession.
8. May the Bottm regulated by the priests,
engendered, purified, exhilarating, all-knowing,
bring us all (riches).
9. May Indu, purified, extolling (the gods^)
bestow on us progeny and all kinds of wealth.
10. ®riow, Soma, for intelligence, for strength,
for wealth, strong and cleansed like a horse
11. (The priests) who press thee purify thy juice Varga xxi.
for exhilaration ; (they purify) the Soma for
abundant food.
12. They cleanse the new-born infant, the green-
tinted shining Soma^ on the filter for the gods.
13. ^The auspicious sage Indu flows upon the
lap of the waters for exhilaration and for wealth.
14. The auspicious (Soma) sustains Indra’s body,
by which he has slain all Rdkshasas^.
15. The universal gods drink of it, effused by
the priests, mixed with the milk and curds.
^ Sanaa Yeda, I. 5. 1. 5. 10.
* Sayana separates ^ajdm from urdnalif and interprets the
latter as uru hurvdmh, i.e. devdn haJiu Icurvdmh^
® Terses 10-12 occur Sama Yeda, II. 6, 2. 19, with maheiov
Icratwe^ verse 10 also Hid. I. 5. 1. 5. 4. ^
^ Sama Yeda, I. 5. 1. 5. 5.
408
EIG-VEDA SANHITl.
16. ‘Being effused tte Soma in a thousand
streams flows through the sheep’s-hair filter.
17. The vigorous Soma flows in a thousand
streams cleansed by the waters and mixing with
the curds and milk.
18. Guided by the priests and effused with the
stones go, Soma, to Indra’s belly.
19. The vigorous thousand-streamed Soma has
been sent through the filter for Indea.
20. They mix the Soma with the liquid of the
sweet (milk) for Indra, the showerer (of benefits)
for his exhilaration.
21. They cleanse thee readily, clothed with water,
green-tinted, for the invigoration of the gods.
22. Indu is effused for Ikdea, is effused down-
wards — ^fierce, mixing (with the milk),® flowing
(into) the water.
StJETA VII. (CX.;
The ^isMs (drashtris) are the two piinces Tetaettsta and Teasa-
DASTu; the metre of rerses 1 to 3 is Anushpuhh (of the Ftpiltka^
madhyd order) ; verses 4 to 9 TTrddhmlrihatif and of the rest
Virdj.
Varga XXII. 1. ^Hasten, Soma, to bring us sustenance ; gifted
^ Yerses 16 to 18 occur Sama Yeda, IL 4, 2, 10, with pra
isdjyakshdh for pra mvdno ahhdh.
* Sayana prerayam “ stimulating (qu. Indra).” He explains
tosate as hmyate (is beaten), alhuh'iyate (is effused).
^ Yerses 1 to 3 occur Sama Yeda, II. 6. 1. 7; verse 1 also
ibid. I. 5. 1. 5, 2.
SEVENTH ASHTAKA. — ^FIETH ADHYXYA. 409
with, endurance (attack our) foes ; the acquitter of
our debts, thou approachest to disperse our enemies.
2. In turn we glorify thee, Soma, when effused ;
thou attackest the (hostile) forces, 0 Pavamana, to
(defend) thy great sovereignty over men.
3. Pavamana, by thy might thou hast generated
the sun in (the firmament), the support of the water,
hastening on with abundant wisdom that procures
cattle (for thy worshippers).
4. *ummortal Soma, thou hast generated (the
sun) amongst mortals in (the firmament), the support
o { the truthful auspicious ambrosia ; streaming
forth ^ thou goest to battle continually.
5. ^Thou hast burst open (the filter) with (thy)
food as (one bursts open) an inexhaustible fountain
giving drink to the nation, like one taking up
(water) with the fingers of his two hands.
6. ^Beholding him certain celestial Vaeuettchas vargaxxiii.
praise him as a kinsman before the shining Saviir .1
drives away the obstructing (darkness).
7. ®The chief (of men)® having cut the sacred
grass have fixed their minds, Soma, on thee for
> Sdma Veda, II. 7. 1. 7. 3.
® Sayan a explains samsh^adaf as samhhajan distributing (bless-
ings) ? from san, to acquire ; the word, however, comes from
syand,
^ Sama Yeda, IL 7. 1. 7. 2.
7. 1.3. 2.
» Ihid. II. 7. 1. 7. 1.
* Or the men of old.
410
RIG-VEDA SA-NHITi.
abundant strength and food; do thou, 0 hero,
excite ns to heroism.
8. ^They have milked from heaven from the
mighty deep the ancient Soma, the beverage (of
the gods) of heaven, which is worthy of praise*
they have praised it when generated for Indea —
9. * Since, Pavamana, thou by thy might art chief
over these two worlds and all these Uving beings,
as a bull is ruler in a herd of kinlg.
10. Pavamdna Soma sporting like a child drops
filtered through the woollen fleece, thousand-
streamed, having the might of a hundred, radiant.
11. This Soma juice undergoing purification,
sweet-flavoured, holy,® dropping, flows for Indea
a sweet stream, bestowing food, dispensing wealth
and life.
12. Plow, Soma, overcoming (our) enemies, driving
away the Rdhshasas who are difificult to approach,
well-armed, triumphing over foes.
SiSeia Till. (CXI.)
The Rishi is kskshXh. the son of Paeuchchhepa ; the metre is
AtyashtL
Vaiga XXIV. 1. ^With this bright green-tinted stream Soma
being filtered overcomes all enemies with the (juices)
1 Sdma Veda, II. 6. 1. 11. 3. * Sfima V^da, II. 7. 1. 3. 3.
* Ritavd — yeijnav&n, having a sacrifice.
* This hymn occurs in inverted order and with some variations,
Sama Veda, II. 7. 3. 10 ; verse 1 also ihid, L 5. 2. 3. 7.
seventh: ABHTAKA — ^PIETH ADHriVA. 411
yoked to it, as the sun (overcomes the darkness)
with the (rays) yoked to it;* the stream of the
effused (Soma) shines, the filtered green-tinted
(Soma is) resplendent, which pervades aill constella-
tions, with the Mikvans,^ with the seven-mouthed
'Rikvans.
2. Thou didst discover the wealth of the Panis,
and art washed in thine own house at the sacrifice
by the mothers/ the supporters of the sacrifice ;
as the hymn (is heard) from afar, so it (is heard
by all, the hymn) in which the supporters (of the
rite) rejoice ; the shining (Soma) with its brilliant
(waters), the supporters of the three (worlds), gives
food, gives food (to the worshippers).
3. The intelligent Soma proceeds to the eastern
quarter; (thy) beautiful chariot, (thy) celestial
beautiful chariot meets the sun’s rays ; the manly
praises advance to Indea and stimulate him to
victory : (his) thunderbolt too (advances to him) ;
so that you ^ are invincible, invincible in battle.
^ Sayaigia optionally takes both words mayugvabUh to refer to
Bur ah, the repeution adding dignity.
^ Sayana explains the first rikvdbhih as BtutimadlhiJi and the
second as tejohhik, so that the two together may be translated
“ with encomiastic splendonrs.’’ The seven months are for
taking up the Soma juice.
® The Yasativarl waters.
* You two/’ i,e. Soma and Indra. Or, better, “ so that you
two, thou and Yajka.”
412
Rie-VEDA SAjnHITI.
SiJkia IX. (CXir.)
The is S'ilir of the family of Aitgieas ; the metre is Pankti.
Varga XXV. 1. Vaxious are our acts, (various) are the Occupa-
tions of men ; the carpenter desires timber, the
physician disease, the Brahman a worShippor who
effuses Soma: flow, Indtj, for Indha.
2. With dried plants (are arrows made), with the
feathers of birds (and) with glistening stones ; ’
the oiiiith seeks a man who has gold :* flow. Iron,
for Indea.
3. I am the singer ; ^ papa is the physician,
mamma throws the corn upon the grinding stones ;
having various occupations, desiring riches we
remain (in the world) like cattle (in the stalls) :
flow, Indxj, for Irdba.
4. The draught horse (desires) a cart easy (to
draw);® those who invite guests (desire) merri-
ment; the frog desires water: flow, Iirotr, for Iivdra.
StJKTA X. (CXIII.)
The J^uhi is Kasyapa of the family of Makichi ; the metre is
Pankti,
Varga XXVI. 1, IxBRA the slayer of the Vritra quaff the
^ Tor the points.
® Saya^a understands hdruh in the sense of maker of praises,
cf. ** maker, ‘‘poet;” tatah bxA nand mean father* (dada) and
mother, or son and daughter respectively ; the scholiast's etymo-
logy is laboured.
® Sayana, “auspicious.” He explains n^amantfinah as mr^
masachivdh^ “ boon companions.”
SETENTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHTltA. 413
Soma on the Saryanavat^ infusing strength into
himself, about to show great prowess: flow, Indit,
for Lstdea.
2. Soma, lord of the four regions, sprinkler (of
benefits) flow from Aijfka” effused by a truth-
speaking truthful (man) with faith and devotion :
flow, Indit, for Indra.
3. The daughter of StfnTA brought the vast Soma
large as a rain-cloud ; the Gandharvas seized upon
it and placed the juice in the Soma'^^ flow, Indu,
for Indha.
4. Soma, the utterer of trutji, radiant with truth,
truth-speaking, truthful in act, speaking faith,
lord (of worshippers), thou art decorated by .the
upholder (of the rite) : flow, Indd, for Indra.
5. The united, streams of thee who art vast and
truly formidable flow united ; the jhices of thee the
juicy one meet together; green-tinted (Soma),
purified by holy prayer, Indd, flow for Indra.
6. Wherever the Brdhmariy O 'purified (Soma),
reciting the holy rhythmical text, engendering the
delight (of the gods) by the Soma (expressed) with
the grinding-stone,® is reverenced, flow, Indd, for
Indra.
* A lake in the Kuruhshetra district.
^ The country of the
® Bommdnandam janayan sliould be taken separately, “ pro-
ducing joy with the Soma;^^ the other words then may be trans- - -
lated, ‘‘shows his prowess with the grinding-stone upon the
8oma?^
414
RICt-VKDA SANHTrX.
7. "Where light is perpetual, in the world in.
which the sun is placed, in that immortal im-
perishable world place me, Pavamawa ; flow, Ikdo,
for Indea.
8. Where Vitaswat’s son is king, where the
inner chamber of the sun (is), where these great
waters (are), there make me immortal ; flow, Iisrmj,
for Indba.
9. Where in the third heaven, in the third sphere,
the sun wanders at will, where the regions are
filled with light, there make me immortal; 'flow,
lor Indea.
10, Where wishes and desires (are),^ where
the region of the sun (is), where food and delight
(are) found, there make me immortal ; flow, Imdtj,
for Ikdka.
11. Where there is happiness, pleasures, joy and
enjojTnent, whore the wishes of the wisher* arc
obtained, there make me immortal ; flow, Indu, for
Indea.
. StJxTA XI. (CXIT.)
and metre as before.
1. (The Brahman) who attends to the stations
of the filtered <So«iffl-juicc — him men call rich in
children, who applies his mind to thee. Soma ; flow,
Indu, for Indea.
^ Sdyawa, ** where the desired gods and the inevitably solicited
Indrat etc., exist.’*
* Sdyann, <‘thc dt'.sircd god.**
SEVENTH ASHTAKA — FIFTH ADHYXYA. 415
2. MisM Kasyapa, raising thy voice with the
praises of the hy un-makers, adore the royal Soma
who is horn the lord of creeping plants ; flow, Indtt,
for Indea.
3. Seven (arc) the quarters of the world with
different suns, seven (arc) the ministrant priests,
seven are the divine Adityas '^ — with these. Soma,
protect us : flow, Indu, for Indka.
4. Protect us, royal Soma, with the ohlation
which has been cooked for thee; let no enemy
assail us, or harm anything of ours ; flow, Indtj, for
Indea.
’ Sajama cites Eig-veda, X. 72. 8.
END OP THE NINTH MANDAIA.
APPEKDIX I
THE VlLAKHILYA HTMHS.*
I.
To Indra ; the ruhi is Frashanwa.
1. I would praise to you the bounteous Indra as is fit,
— the wealth-abounding Maghavan, who loves to help
with thousandfold treasure those who praise him.
2. He rushes on boldly like a weapon with a hundred
edges, he smites the enemies of his worshipper; the
gifts of him who feeds many, swell like the streams of
a mountain.
3. The expressed exhilarating Soma-juices, 0 Indra,
lover of hymns, fill thee for bounty, 0 hero, 0 thunderer,,
as the waters flow to their accustomed lake.
4. Drink the incomparable, helpful, swelling beverage,
the sweetest of the Soma, that in thy exultation thou
mayest pour out treasure for us, just as the mill-stone
pours out meal.^
6. Come quickly to our praise,^ — urged on by the Soma-
pressers like a horse, — which the milch-kine make sweet
^ On these hymns cf. supra, p. 96, As Shyana gives no commentary he e,
the St. Petersburg Diet., Grassmann’s Lexicon and translation, and Ludwig’s
translation and notes have been consulted for this translation.
2 The St. Petersb. Diet, takes dhrishad ^&—drishad.
® Grassmann proposes to read somam,
TOL. Y. 2 E
418
APPENDIX I.
for thee, 0 Indra, of iadcpendent might ; there are gifts
[for thee] among the Kanwas.
6. We have approached thee with homage like a
mighty hero, the pre-eminent one, of imperishable
wealth ; 0 Indra, thunderer, our prayers flow forth as
an abundant fountain pours out its streams.^
7. Whether thou art now present at a sacrifice, or
whether thou art abroad on the earth, come from thence
with thy swift steeds to our sacrifice, 0 thou of lofty
counsel; come, strong one, with the strong [steeds].
8. Agile and swift are thy steeds, overpowering like
the winds ; with which thou encirclest the race of Manus,
with which the whole heaven becomes visible.^
9. 0 Indra, we long for such a bounty of thine, rich
in kine; (help us,) Maghavan, as thou didst help Medhyd-
tithi with wealth, as thou didst help Nipdtithi ;
10. As thou, Maghavan, didst give abundant kine and
gold to Kanwa and Trasadasyu, to Paktha and Pasavraja;
as thou didst give them to Gosarya and Rijiswan.
11 .
To Indra; the ruhi is FusJitigu of the race of Kanwa.
1. I would praise the far-famed, the bounteous Sakra,
for the sake of his protection, who gives desirable wealth
by thousands to the presser of the Soma and the oiflFerer
of hymns.
2. Invincible are his hundred-edged weapons, the
mighty arrows of Indra; he pours forth blessings on his
' Eead sincaie unaccented.
2 Or perhaps “.with which thou encirclest all, a very sun to see’’ (of. IX.
Gl. 18).
APPENDIX I.
419
liberal worshippers Kke a mountain rich in springs, when
the effused Soma has exhilarated him.
3. When the effused Soma-drops have exhilarated the
beloved one, my oblation is offered abundantly like the
waters, 0 gracious Indra, — ^it is like the milch kine to
the worshipper.
4. The prayers which consecrate the Soma flow forth
to the incomparable one who calls you for his favour/'
— the Soma-drops which invoke thee, 0 gracious one,
have set thee in the midst of the hymns,
5. He rushes hurrying like a horse to the Soma offered
in our festival, which the hymns make sweet to thee,
0 thou that lovest sweet viands, — ^thou approvest the
summons to the satisfying beverage.^
6. Praise the mighty hero, wide-grasping, spoil-harry^r
ing, who has control over vast treasure ; thou, 0 thunderer,
ever pourest forth wealth to the worshipper like an
abundant fountain.
7. Whether thou art in the far distance or in the earth
or in heaven, 0 Indra, god of lofty counsel, yoke thy
steeds, — come hither, lofty one, with the lofty.
8. Thy harmless steeds which draw thy chariot, which
surpass the strength of the wind, — with which thou
silencest the enemy of man,® and with which thou goest
round the sky.
9. May we once more know thee as, such, O giracious
hero, as when thou didst aid Etasa in the decisive battle,
or Yasa against Dasavraja.
10. As thoU 'Wast willing to give, 0 Maghavan, to
^ This line is very obscure.
® Taura maybe a proper name (cf. Vhl. vi. 1), “Thou approvest the
summons to (the house of) Paura.**
® Or “ of Manus,” daayuni manmhah.
APPENDIX I.
420
Kknwa in the sacrificial feast, or to Dirghanltha tlie
friend of the house, — as thou -wast willing to give, 0
slinger, to Gosarya,— so give to me a herd of kine shining
like gold.
III.
. To Indra ; the rishi is Srushtigu.
1. As thou didst drink, 0 Indra, the effused Soma
beside Mann, the descendant of Samvarana, — by Nipatithi
and Medhydtithi, by Pushtigu and Srushtigu, 0 Magha-
van, [so do thou drink it here].
2. The descendant of Prishadvana entertained the aged
Praskanwa who lay rejected (by his kindred) ; aided by
thee the seer Dasyave-vrika desired to obtain thousands
of cows.
3. Sing that Indra with the newest hymn who has
no lack of praises, who is wise and the inspirer of seers,
who is as it were eager to enjoy.
4. He to whom they sang the seven-headed hymn^
with its three parts in the highest region, — he has made
all thesor worlds tremble, and has thus brought forth his
power.
5. We invoke that Indra who gives us wealth ; for we
know his newest favour; may we obtain a stall rich in
(^WS.
6. He whom thou helpest, 0 gracious one, to give,
obtains abundance of wealth ; bringing the Soma we
invoke thee, Indra, Maghavan, thou that lovest hymns,
7. Never art thou niggardly, Indra, and givest not
to# the worshipper; but thy godlike gifts, 0 Maghavan,
arc poured forth more and more.
i.e. sun^ by seven divine sin^eis in heaven.
AFPEI^DIX I.
421
8. He who overpowered Krivi by his might and silenced
Sushna with his weapons, — when he spread abroad yonder
sky and propped it up, then first the dweller on earth was
born.
9. That wealth, which every Arya here covets and
every miserly Ddsa, — is sent direct to thee, the pious
Eusama Pa\iru.-
10. The zealous seers have sung a hymn, sweet with
Soma and dropping ghi ; wealth and manly strength have
spread •themselves among us, and so too the expressed
Soma drops.
IV.
To Indr a; the rishi is Ayu,
1. As thou, Sakra, didst drink the effused Soma from
Manu Vivasvat, as thou didst accept the hymn from Trita,
so do thou gladden thyself with Ayu.
2. Thou didst enjoy, Indra, the effused drink with
Prishadhra, Medhya, and Mdtariswan, just as thou didst
drink the Soma with Dasasipra, Dasonya, Syumarasmi,
and Rij unas.
3. [It is Indra] who has appropriated the hymns for
himself, who has bravely drunk the Soma, — for whom
Vishnu strode the three steps according to the ordinances
of Mitra.
4. 0 Satakratu, thou who art bountiful to him whose
praises and oblations thou delightest in, — we, desiring
wealth, invoke thee, as the milkers call a cow which hears
abundant milk.
5. He who gives to us is our father, the mighty, Jhe
strong, he who acts as the sovereign, — may he, the strong
rich Maghavan, give us kine and horses, even without our
asking for it.
422
APPENDIX 1,
6, He to wkom tliou givest a present that he may give^
obtains abundanee of wealth ; we, desiring wealth, invoke
with our praises Indra Satakratu, the lord of wealth.
t. Never art thou heedless, thou guai'dest both races,
(gods and men) ; 0 fourth Xditya,^ to thee belongs the
Indra-in vocation, the ambrosia has risen to heaven.
8. (As thou hearest) the worshipper whom thou favourest,
0 Indra, Maghavan, liberal one, thou that lovest hymns,
— so, gracious one, hear our hymns and our invocation of
praise, like Kanwa’s.
9. The old hymn has been sung, ye have uttered the
prayer to Indra; they have shouted many brihati-vemm
of the rite, many hymns of the worshipper have they
poured forth.
10. Indra has heaped together vast stores of wealth,
the two worlds and the sun ; the bright pure Soma-drink,
mixed with milk, has exhilarated Indra.
V.
To Indra ; the risM is Medkya*
1. We come to thee, 0 Maghavan Indra, the highest of
Maghavans, the strongest of bulls, the mightiest breaker
of forts, the provider of kine, the lord of wealth.
2. Thou who, waxing in might day by day, didst
destroy Ayu, Kutsa, and Atithigva, — we invoke thee,
Satakratu, with thy bay horses, rousing thee by our
offerings.
3. Let the stones pour forth the honey-juice for us all, —
the Soma-drops which have been pressed by men afar
or near.
\
^ Cf. suprH^ Hi, 6.
- with Varuna, Mitra, and Aryaman.
APPENDIX I.
423
4. Smite all our enemies and drive them away, may
we all obtain their wealth; even among the Sishtas are
thy exhilarating Soma-plants, where thou fillest thyself
with the Soma.
5. Indra, come very near with thy firmly-wise protec-
tions; come, 0 most healthful, with thy most healthful
aid, come, good kinsman, with thy good kinsmen.
6. Make rich in children that chief of all men, who
is victorious in battle and a strong protector; prosper
thoroughly with thy powers thy singers who continually
purify their minds,
7. May we be in battle as one who is the surest to
gain thy protection ; we worship thee with invocations
and prayers when we obtain our desire.
8. With thy help, 0 lord of bay steeds, I always go
into prayer and into battle, seeking spoil; it is thou
whom I insist upon, when I go, longing for horses and
kine, at the head of plunderers.^
VI.
Most of the hymn is addressed to Tndra, hut the third and fourth
slohas to the Viswe Devdh ; the rishi is Mdtariswan,
1. The singers with their hymns hymn, 0 Indra, this
might of thine ; singing loudly, they have brought thee
sacred viands dropping with ghi ; the offerers ^ have drawn
near with their prayers.
2. They have drawn near Indra with holy rites for his
protection, — they in whose libations thou rejoicesfc; as
^ The St. Petersb. ])ict. would rhad matindm for mathtndmy ‘‘in the
heginning of niy prayers.”
* Or perhaps the Pauras,” ef. sup. ii. 5.
424
APPENDIX T.
thou didst rejoice in Samvarta and Krisa, so now, Indra,
do thou rejoice in us.
3. Ye gods, come all with one accord to us; let the
Vasus and Rudras come for our protection, let the Maruts
hear our call.
4. May Pushan, Vishnu, Saraswati, and the seven
rivers, favour my call; may the waters, the wind, the
mountains, the tree, the earth, hear my call.
6. With thine own special gift, 0 Indra, best of
Maghavans, he thou our boon-companion for good, our
liberal benefactor, 0 slayer of Vritra.
6. 0 lord of battle, lord of men, mighty in action, do
thou guide us in the conflict; far-famed are those who
obtain their desires by sacrificial feasts, by invocations,
and by entertaining the gods.
7. ^ Our prayers abide in the true one, — in Indra is the
life of men ; draw near to us, Maghavan, for our protec-
tion ; milk forth the streaming drink.
8. 0 Indra, we would worship thee with hymns; 0
Satakratu, thou art ours ; pour down upon Praskanwa
great, solid, inexhaustible, exuberant abundance.
YII.
JL hymn in praise of the gifts of Praskanwa ; the risJd is JTnsa,
1. Great indeed is Indra’s might ; I have beheld it ;
thy gift approaches, 0 Dasyave-vrika.^
2. A hundred white oxen shine like stars in the
heavens, — by their size they have almost held up the
heavens.
3. A hundred bamboos, a hundred dogs, a hundred
^ Sc. ** 0 foe to the Dasyu.”
APPENDIX I.
425
dressed hides, a hundred bunches of halhaja grass, and
four hundred red mares are mine.
4 May ye have the gods propitious to you, 0 de-
scendants of Kanwa, living through youth on youth ;
step out vigorously like steeds.
6. Let them praise the seven-yoked team, great is the
strength of that which is not yet full-grown ; the dark-
brown mares have rushed along the paths so that no eye
can follow them.
Till.
A second hymn in ^praise of the gifts of Praskanwa ; the last shla
is addressed to Agni and Siirya ; the rishi is Frishadhra,
1. Thy inexhaustible gift has appeared, O Dasyave-
vrika, its fulness is in extent like the sky.
2. Dasyave-vrika, the son of Pdtakratd, has given to
me ten thousand from his own store ;
8. A hundred asses, a hundred woolly sheep, a hundred
slaves, beside garlands.
4. There too has been brought for Putakrata a well-
adorned mare, which is not one of the common horses
of the herd.
6. The shining Agni has appeared, the bearer of the
oblation, with his chariot ; Agni has gleamed forth
brilliantly with his bright flame as Sura, — he has
gleamed forth in heaven as Surya.
IX.
To the Aswins; the rishi is Medhya.
1. Ye have come quickly, ye two gods, with your cpr,
endued with ancient might, 0 sacred Aswins; truthful
ones, with your powers, drink this third libation.
2. The threo-and-thirty truthful gods saw you before
426
APPENDIX I.
the truthful one ; ^ 0 Aswins, gleaming with fire, drink
the Soma, enjoying our oifering, our libation.
3. That work of yours, 0 Aswins, is worthy of wonder,
— the bull of the heavens, the firmament and the* earth ; ^
aye, and your thousand blessings in battle, — for all these
come hither to drink.
4. 0 sacred ones, this your portion has been placed for
you ; 0 truthful ones, come to these your praises ; drink
among us the sweet Soma ; succour your worshipper with
your powers.
X.
To the Viswe JDevdh ; the first sloka ts addressed to the priests ;
the rishi is Medhja.
1. He whom the wise priests bring, when they arrange
the offering in many ways, — who was employed as a
learned brahman, — what is the offerer’s knowledge
regarding him ?
2. Agni is one, though kindled in various ways : one
is the Sun, pre-eminent over all; one Bawn illumines
this all ; one is that which hath become this all,
3. Xhe brilliant chariot, diffusing splendour, rolling
lightly on its three wheels, offering an easy seat, and
full of many gifts, — at whoso yoking the Dawn was born,
rich in marvellous treasures, — I invoke that your chariot
(0 Aswins), — come ye hither to drink.
XL ^
To Indra mid Tai'una; the rislii is Bupariia.
1. These your ofiferod portions stream forth, 0 Indra
* i.e, before tin? »Sua ; llie da was arc couijrarcd to “ txutljM active women ”
in Vi da, i 70. 1.
2 tlic Son, wliicli tJicy may be said to levcal, as they come with the
( nrlicst dawn.
APPENDIX I.
427
and Varuna, to your honour in the oblations; at every
sacrifice you hasten to the oblations, when you help the
offerer who presses out the Soma.
2. The plants and the waters were efficacious; they
have attained their power, O Indra and Varuna; you
who liavc gone beyond the path of the firmament, — no
godless man is worth being called your enemy.
3. True, 0 Indra and Varuna, is that saying of Krisa’s,
—* ** the seven sacred voices ^ distil a stream of honey ;
for their sake help tho worshipper, 0 ye lords of
splendour, who reverences you devoutly in his thoughts.
4. The seven sister-streams of the Soma, in the house
of the offering pour forth ghi and rain profusely their
drops, — with these ghi-d ripping streams of yours, O
Indra and Varuna, provide for and help the offerer.
5. To Qur great happiness wo have declared to these
two brilliant ones the true might of Indra ; 0 Indra and
Varuna, lords , of splendour, help us, the offerers of gin,
with the company of thrice seven.^
6. 0 Indra and Varuna, I have seen what you formerly
gave to the seers, — wisdom, power of song, and fame, —
and the places which the wise have prepared for them-
selves, as they spread the wob of the sacrifice with holy
austerities.
7. 0 Indra and Varuna, give to the offerers cheerful-
ness without levity, and abundance of wealth; give to
us offspring, food, prosperity ; prolong our lives to length
of days.
* Cf, Kig Veda, ix. IOC, 3, “ the Soma streams tliron^li tlie sheep’s wool
round tho honey-dropping vchsol,— the seven voices of the sacred bards shout
to it.” '
® This obscure phrase occurs in a hymn to Jiidni (Kig Yoda, i. 133, fi),
0 irresistible one, thoif destroyest not men with the vuiriors, with the
Ihiice seven wanioi».”
APPEKDIX II.
THE PEEPAEATION OP THE SOMA.
The following account of the preparation of the Sonaa
is condensed from Hang’s Aitareya Brahmana transL
p. 489, note. The Adhwaryu takes the skin {charma or
twach) and puts on it the filaments or shoots of the Soma
plant {am§u). He then takes two hoards {adhisliamna)^
puts one on the top of the Soma shoots, and beats it
with the stones (jgrdmm). Then the shoots are put
between the two boards, and water is poured on them
from the Vasatimri pot. The shoots are then shaken
in the Sotri^s cup (chamasa), wetted again with Vasativari
water and put on a stone. Crrass is laid on them, and
they are beaten so that the juice rUns out. The juice
is allowed to run into the trough (ddhamniya), then
strained through the cloth (pavitra or dahapavitrd) which
is held by the UdgdtrL The filtered juice is caught in*
another trough {putahhrit). Libations are poured from
two kinds of vessels — grahas or saucers, and chammm or
cups.
INDEX OF THE SUKTAS.
SIXTH ASHTAKA (Contintjed).
MAXDALA VIII. (Continued).
adhyIya II.
Anut^ka IV.
Tage.
Sukta.
Deity.
DisM.
1.
I.
(XXL)
Indba : Chitba’s Kberalitj,
SOBHARI,
5.
II.
(XXII.)
Aswihs,
The same.
9.
III.
(XXIII.)
Aoyi,
The same.
13.
IV.
(XXIV.)
Indea: Vabu*s munificence,
The same.
19.
V.
(XXV.)
Mitea and Vaeuna ; the
VxSWADEVAS*
The same.
23.
VI.
(XXVI.)
The Aswxks, YAyu,
The same.
27.
YII.
(XXVII.)
The Yiswadevas,
Mahu.
32.
VIII.
(XXYIII.) The same,
The same.
83.
IX.
(XXIX.)
The same,
Kasyapa orl^AKir.
34.
X.
(XXX.)
The same,
Maxu.
Anuvaka V.
85. I. (XXXI.) The Tajamana’s sacrifice and
praise; the praise of the
YajamAxa and liis wife;
their benediction, jHanh.
430
INDEX OF THE STJKTAS.
ADHYIyA III.
Tage.
Siikta.
Deiiy^
38.
11.
(XXXII.)
IlTDEA,
MebhXtithi.
42.
in.
(XXXIII.)
The same,
MEDHylTITHI.
46.
lY.
(XXXIV.)
The same,
XinlTiTHi; the
Tasueochishas.
49.
V.
(XXXV.)
The Aswiks,
SyXvXswa.
53.
VI.
(XXXVI.)i/
Indea,
The same.
55.
VII.
(XXXVII.)\/
The same,
The same.
56.
VIII.
(XXXVIII.)
Agni and Ii^dea,
The same.
58.
IX.
(XXXIX.)
Agni,
XXbhXka.
60.
X.
(XL.)
Ineea and Agih,
The same.
63.
XL
(XLI.)
Vaeuna,
The same.
65,
XII.
(XLII.) The same and the AfWiNS,
AnvvXka YI.
AechanXnas o!r
NXbhXka.
67.
I.
(XLIII.)
Agsti,
YietJpa.
71.
II.
(XLIV.)
The same,
The same.
75.
III.
(XLV.)
Indea and Agni,
Teisoka.
ADHYlYA IV.
82.
lY
(XLVI.)
Indea : the liberality of
PRITHtrSEATAS ; YXXTT,
Yasa.
88.
Y.
(XLVII.)
The Adityas and Ushas,
Teita Aptya
93..
YI.
(XLVIII.)
Soma,
PeagXtha.
Andvaka YII.
96.
T
(LX.)
Agni,
Bharga.
fdo.
II.
(LXI.)
Inbea,
The same.
104.
III.
(LXII.)-w^
The same,
PeagXtha.
107.
IV.
(LXIII.)
Indra : the Betas,
The same.
INDEX OP THE STJKTAS.
431
JPage.
Sikta.
Deity.
109.
Y.
(LXIV.)
Ikbea,
111.
YI.
(LXV.)
The same,
113.
Yll.
(LXVI.)
The same,
117.
YlII.
(LXVII.)
The Adityas,
ADHYlTA V.
120.
IX.
(Lxvni.)
Inbea : the gift of Eiksha
and Aswamedha,
123.
X.
(LXIX.)
IiTDEA : the Yiswadevas ;
. YABITirA,
Andvaea VIII.
128.
I.
(LXX.)
Inbea,
132.
II.
(LXXI.)
Amsn,
135.
III.
(LXXII.)
Aoui, or the praise of the
oblation,
139.
lY.
(LXXIII.)
The As WINS,
141.
Y.
(LXXIY.) A.GNI; the donation of king
SEUTAEVAlSr,
144.
YI.
(LXXV.)
Agki,
146.
YII.
(LXXVI.)
Indea,
148.
YIII.
(LXXYII.)
The same,
151.
IX.
(LXXVIII.) The same,
153.
X.
(LXXIX.)
Soma,
154.
XI.
(LXXX.)
IisHDEA ; the Devas,
Anutaka IX.
156. I. (LXXXI.) IlTBEA,
JResA*.
PBAalTHA.
The same.
Kaii,
M ATSTA or MXnta
or some hshes.
Pettamebha,
The same.
PuBTJirAKMAN.
SujufTi and Pcmn-
MfLHA.
Habtata.
Gopatana.
The same.
ViKtJPA.
KuEirSTTTI.
The same.
The same.
Keitutj.
Ekadtit.
Kusfniir.
432
IKDEX OP THE SljKTAS.
ADHYAYA YL
Tage,
Sukia.
De%ty^
Ruki.
158.
II.
(LXXXII.)
Ijktdea,
Kitsidik.
160.
III.
(LXXXIII.)
The Yiswabevasj
The same.
161.
IV.
(LXXXIY.)
Agni,
Fsakas.
163.
Y.
(LXXXY.)
The Aswins,
Keishna.
164.
VI.
(LXXXYI.)
The same,
Tiswaka or Keishna.
166.
YIL
(LXXXVIT.)
The same,
Dyumijika *or
Peitamedha.
167.
YIII.
(LXXXYIII.)
Ikbea,
XOBHAS.
169.
IX.
(LXXXIX.)
The same,
Xeimedha and
PtrETOEDHA.
171.
X.
(XC.)
The same,
The same.
173.
XI.
(XCI.)
The same.
ApIlX.
175.
XII.
(XCII.)
The same,
Seftaxaesha or
Sfkaksha.
180.
xm.
(XCIII.) Indea ; the Eiipro's,
Anuyaka X.
SXJKAKSHA.
185.
I.
(XCIY.)
The Maeuts,
Yrsrmr or P^ta-
B^KSHA.
187.
II.
(XCY.)
Ikdea,
Tieaschi.
189.
in.
(XCVI.) Iudea;
the Maetjts,* Beihaspati, DyutXna or
TieaschI.
194.
lY.
(XCYII.)
Indea,
Eebha.
ADHYIyA YIL
198..
Y.
(XCVIII.)
Inbea,
E'eimebha.
200.
YI.
(XCIX.)
The same.
The same.
203.
YIL
(C.)
Ijtdea; YXch,
Xema; Iin)BA.
206.
VIII.
(Cl.) Mhba,
Yaeu^a, the Xdityas, the
Aswrifs, VXttt, Si5bxa Yshas
or SiiKTAPEABHi., PatahAita
Y iTir, and the Oow^, Jaicabaohi.
IXDEX OP THE StfBTAS.
.433
Tag 9 .
Sukta.
Deity,
Rishi.
210.
IX.
(OIL)
Agjsti,
Peatoga, or Aghi
BIehaspatya
or Pataka, or
Gmhapati or
Yavishtha.
214.
X.
(CIII.)
Agiti the Maeuts,
SoBEAnr.
MANDALA IX.
AnxtvIka I.
217.
I.
(10
Soma PavamIha,
Mabhechchhakbas.
219.
IL
(IL)
The same,
MebhXtithi.
221.
III.
(III.)
The same,
Sttitahsepa.
222.
lY.
(ivo
The same,
HlEAEYASTtJPA.
224.
Y.
(Y.) The Ams other than XaeIsaitsa,
Asita or Bevala.
225.
YL
(VI.)
Soma Patamana,
The same.
227.
YII.
(VII.)
The same,
The same.
228.
YIII.
(VIII.)
The same,
The same.
229.
IX.
(IX.)
The same,
The same.
231.
X.
(X.)
The same,
The same.
233.
XI.
(XI.)
The same,
The same.
234.
XII.
(XII.)
The same,
The same.
ADHTItA TUI.
236.
XIII.
(XIII.)
Soma PatamIna,
Asita or Betala.
237.
XIY.
(XIV.)
The same,
The same.
239.
XY.
(XV.)
The same,
The same.
240.
XYI.
(XVI.)
The same,
The same
241.
XVII.
(XVII.)
The same,
The same.
242.
XVIII.
(XVIII.)
The same,
The same.
243.
XIX.
(XIX.)
The same,
The same.
2 F
TOt. V.
434
INDEX
OF THE STJKTAS.
^age.
Suhta,
Deity,
244.
XX.
(XX.)
Soma PavamAea,
245.
XXI.
(XXL)
The same,
246.
XXII.
(XXII.)
The same,
247.
XXIIL
(XXIII.)
The same.
248.
XXIT.
(XXIV.)
The same,
AnxjvXka. II.
249.
I.
(XXV.)
Soma PavamAea,
250.
II.
(XXVI.)
The same,
251.
III.
(xxvno
The same.
252.
IV.
(XXVIII.)
The same,
253.
(XXIX.)
The same,
254.
VI.
(XXX.)
The same,
255.
VII.
(XXXI.)
The same,
255.
VIII,/
(XXXII.)
The same,
256,
IX.' '
(XXXIII.)
The same,
257.
X.
(XXXIV.)
The same,
258.
XI.
(XXXV.)
The same,
259.
XII.
(XXXVI.)
The same,
260.
XIII.
(XXXVII.)
The same,
261.
XIV.
(XXXVIII.)
The same,
262.
XV.
(XXXIX.)
The same,
263.
XVE.
(XL.)
The same,
263.
XVII.
(XLI.)
The same,
264.
XVIII.
(XLII.)
The same,
265.
XIX.
(XLIII.)
The same.
ASHTAKA VII.
ADHYAYA I.
266.
XX.
(XLIV.)
Soma PavamAis^a,
267.
XXI.
(XLV.)
The same,
268.
XXII.
(XLVI.)
The same.
l^khu
Asita or Detala.
The saiue.
The same.
The same.
The same.
Beiphachyttta.
iDHAtAVlHA.
i^EIMEDHA.
Peiyamedha.
Neimedha.
Biedtj.
E-aht^gaea Gotama
Syavaswa.
Teita.
The same.
pEABHTjVASir.
The same.
EahiJgaka.
The same.
Bmhanmati.
The same.
MedhyAtitht.
The same.
The same.
AyAsya.
The same.
The same.
INDEX OF THE STJkTAS.
435
Tage.
Sukta ,
Deity,
269.
XXIII. (XLVII.)
Soma Pavamaka,
Kavi.
270.
XXIV. (XLVIII.)
The same,
The same.
270.
XXY. (XLIX.)
The same,
The same.
271.
XXVI. (L.)
The same,
UCHATHYA.
272.
XXVIL (LI.)
The same,
The same.
272.
XXVIII. (LII.)
The same,
The same.
273.
XXIX. (LIII.)
The same,
AtatsXka.
274.
XXX. (LIV.)
The same.
The same.
274.
XXXI. (LV.)
The same,
The same.
275.
XXXII. (LVI.)
The same,
The same.
275.
XXXIII.(LVII.)
The same,
The same.
276.
XXXIV. (LVIII.)
The same.
The same.
277.
XXXV. (LIX.)
The same,
The same.
277.
XXXVI. (LX.)
The same.
The same.
AndvIka III.
278.
I. (LXI.)
Soma PayamJLha,
Amahiyu.
282.
II. (LXII.)
The same,
Jamadagni.
286.
III. (LXIII.)
, The same.
'N’idheuvi.
289.
IV. (LXIV.)
The same.
Kasyapa.
294. Y.
298. TI.
302. YII.
ADHYIYA II.
(LXY.) Soma PatamIsa,
(LXYI.) Aoni PatamIna ; Soma Pava-
mIna,
(LXYII.) PavamXna PiJsHAif; PayamIxa
Soma ; PavamIna Agi^i ;
PatamXna SAVimr ; all the
gods; the praise of the
students of the PavamIna
Manuala,
Bheigu or Jama-
da GNi.
TheVAiKHl?rASAs.
BhakadwIja,
Kasyapa, Gota-
MA, Arm Bhait-
mAjYiswXmitka,
Jamadagiti, Ya-
8ISHTHA,PaVITEA.
436
INDEX OF THE SIJKTAS.
AndvXka IV.
iVry<?.
SuJcta .
Deity .
Mishi ,
307.
I.
(LXVIII.)
Soma PavamIka,
VaxasaI^bi.
309.
11.
(LXIX.)
The same,
HlEAKYASTtfPA.
313.
III.
(LXX.)
The same,
Reot.
316.
IV.
(LXXI.)
The same,
Eishabha.
318.
Y.
(LXXII.)
The same,
Harimanta.
321.
VI.
(LXXIII.)
The same.
Patitra.
324.
VII.
(LXXIV.)
The same,
XakshIvat.
326.
VIII.
(LXXV.)
The same,
Xivi,
ABHYlYA III.
328.
IX.
(LXXVI.)
Soma PavamXna,
Xavi.
329.
X.
(LXXVII.)
The same.
The same.
330.
XI.
(LXXVIII.)
The same,
The same.
331.
XII.
(LXXIX.).
The same,
The same.
332.
XIII.
(LXXX.)
The same.
Vasu.
334.
XIV,
(LXXXI.)
The same.
The same.
335.
XV.
(LXXXII.)
The same,
The same.
336.
XVI.
(LXXXIII.)
The same.
Payitra.
338.
XVII.
(LXXXIV.)
The same.
PRiJAPATI.
339.
XVII.
(LXXXV.)
The same,
Veka.
AnuvXka V.
342.
(LXXXVI.)
Soma PatamIka,
The Akrtshta
MXshas ; the Si-
kata Xivayakis j
the Pmsjsfi Ajas;
Atbi ; Gbtoa-
MADA.
352.
IV
(LXXXVII.)
The same,
USAKAS.
3*54.
III.
(LXXXVIII.)
The same.
The same.
355.
IV.
(!XXXIX.)
The same,
The same.
357.
V.
XL’,)
The same,
Vasishtu V.
INDEX OP THE StfXTAS.
adhyIta IV.
437
Foffe,
Suhta,
Deity*
Jtxshi*
359.
(XCI.)
Soma Pavamaha,
Xasyapa.
360.
YII.
(XCII.)
The same,
The same.
361.
YIII.
(XCIII.)
The same,
XoPHAS.
363.
IX.
(XCIV.)
The same,
Xakwa.
364.
X.
(XCV.'i
The same,
Praskamwa.
865.
XL
(XCTI.)
The same,
Andvika vr.
Peataroama.
370.
I.
(XCVIT.)
Soma PayamIka,
Yasishtha ; Ij7-
EEAPEAMATI ;
Yeishagana ;
Manytt ; Upa-
MANTU; YtIgh-
eapXd ; Saeti ;
K A EE A SETJT ;
Mmxika ; Ya-
SUKEA.
383.
11.
(XCVIII.) The same,
Ambaeisha and
Eijiswae.
385.
III.
(XCIX.)
The same,
The E,EBHAStJETJS.
387.
lY.
(C.)
The same,
ADHYlTA V.
The same.
388.
Y.
(CL)
Soma PAVAMlisrA,
AedhIgu; YayI-
Ti ; KuHUsha ;
Maexj ; Peaja-
PATI.
391.
YL
(OIL)
The same.
Trita Apa‘YA.
392.
YII.
(cm.)
The same,
Anut^ka VII,
PwiTA ApTYA.
394.
I.
(CIV.)
Soma PavamIista,
Paryata and Xi-
RADA, or the Si-
KHAEBIEIS.
438 INDEX or THE StiXTAS.
Tage.
SuJcta,
Deity.
395.
II.
(CV.)
Soma PavamIna,
Paevata and Ni-
EABA.
396.
HI
(CVI.)
The same,
Agei; Chakshush;
Manv;. Aghi.
398.
IT.
(CVII.)
The same,
The seven Rishis.
403.
V.
(CVIII.)
The same,
GatteivIti; Sakti;
ITEFjRmswAH;
UEBHASADMAIf;
KeITA YAS as;
Rt^AISTCH AXA
Sakti.
406.
VI.
(CIX.)
The same,
The Ageis of
Sacrifice.
408.
VII.
(CX.)
The same,
Teyaeuna and
Teasabasyu^
410.
VIII.
(CXI.)
The same.
AeIitata.
412.
IX.
(CXII.)
The same.
§ISTJ.
412.
X.
(CXIII.)
The same.
Kasyaea.
413.
XI.
(CXIV.)
The same,
The same.
THE VALAKHILYA HTMHS.
417.
I.
Ihdea,
Peaskanwa.
418.
II.
The same,
PitSHTIGTT.
420.
III.
The same,
Sehshtigh.
421.
IV.
The same,
Atij.
422.
V.
The same,
Medhya.
423.
VI.
Inhea ; Vis WE Detah,
MiTAEISWAlf.
424.
VII.
The gifts of Pkaseahwa,
Kei§a.
425.
VIII.
The same ; Agki and SiJeya,
Peishabhea.
425.
IX.
The Aswins,
Medhya.
426.
X.
The Yiswe DevIh,
The same.
426.
xi.
Indea and VAEwa,
SUPAUITA.
ITOEX OF XAMES.
Adhrigu^ 7 .
Aditi 19 , 20 , 21 , 28 , 90 ,
118 , 119 , 161 , 250 ,
835 , 383 .
Adityas^ 26 , 28 , 29 , 31 ,
37 , 49 , 51 , 83 , 88 , 89 ,
90 , 117 , 118 , 119 ,
160 , 161 , 206 , 209 ,
210 , 279 , 311 , 415 ,
422 .
Agastya^ 249 .
Agm, 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ,
22 , 27 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 37 ,
47 , 49 , 56 , 57 , 58 ,
59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 67 ,
68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ,
73 , 74 , 75 , 78 , 96 ,
97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 107 ,
126 , 132 , 133 , 134 ,
135 , 138 , 141 , 142 ,
143 , 145 , 146 , 161 ,
162 , 163 , 184 , 210 ,
211 , 212 , 213 , 214 ,
215 , 216 , 217 , 225 ,
280 , 301 , 305 , 306 ,
330 , 355 , 366 , 396 ,
406 , 425 .
Agni Bdrhaspatya^ 210 .
Agni Pavahtty 210 .
AUy 180 , 182 , 190 .
Ahiswa, 38 , 41 , 149 .
Ahmvdyyay 79 .
Ajigarta^ 221 .
Ahrishfa Mdsas, 342 .
Ahha, 87 .
AmaJdyUy 278 .-
Amharishay 383 .
Ammmatiy 192 , 193 .
Andnata, 410 .
Anarsaniy 38 .
Angirasy 10 , 23 , 46 , 51 ,
62 , 67 , 89 , 70 , 71 , 72 ,
97 , 107 , 120 , 128 ,
143 , 144 , 145 , 162 ,
163 , 166 , 169 , 175 ,
185 , 189 , 193 , 198 ,
213 , 222 , 251 , 253 ,
254 . 258 , 262 , 266 ,
271 , 278 , 283 , 302 ,
309 , 318 , 321 , 347 ,
863 , 370 , 899 , 403 ,
412 .
Apdldy 173 , 174 .
ApriSy 224 .
Apsarasasy 301 , 394 .
ApsUy 396 ,
Aptyay 92 , 391 , 392 .
Aradway 87 .
Arhuduy 38 , 41 .
ArehandmSy 65 .
Arjihay 413 .
ArjWiyay 110 , 111 .
Arjunay 155 .
Ary ay 214 .
Aryamariy 21 , 25 , 30 , 32 ,
37 , 82 , 90 , 117 , 160 ,
161 , 186 , 207 , 293 ,
335 , 356 , 406 , 422 .
Amngdy 45 .
Asitay 224 .
AsuraSy 15 , 20 , 65 , 191 ,
209 , 270 , 301 , 314 ,
317 , 404 .
As way 86, 88.
Ast&amedha, 120, 122,
123 .
Aswtnsy 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 22 ,
* 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 , 33 ,
' 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 65 ,
66 , 139,140 141 , 163 ,
. 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 ,
206 , 228 , 335 , 425 .
AtUMgway 122 , 123 , 422 .
Atriy 34 , 49 , 52 , 54 , 55 ,
56 , 57 , 66 , 139 , 140 ,
173 , 255 , 302 , 342 ,
361 .
Aurnavdlka, 41 , 149 .
Aurva BhrigUy 211.
440^
Avatsdra^ 273.
Aydsya^ 266.
Ayu^ 421, 422.
JBahhrUj 7.
Balhutha, 88.
Bkaga, 211, 228, 267,
335, 382, 406.
JBJidandana^ 307.
JBJiaradwdja, 302, 332,
361, 383, 398, 403.
Blidrati^ 225.
Bhirga, 96.
BlirigUj 68, 153, 203,
206, 210, 211, 269,
282, 294, 302, 326,
328, 339, 390.
Bhuyyu, 144.
Bhkmay 342.
Bind%(,^ 254.
Brahma^ 378.
BraJmd, 366.
Brahmanaspati^ 28.
Brihanmati^ 262.
Brihaspati, 189, 192,
193, 302, 335, 340.
CJiahhushj 396.
Ohitra, T^5,
Dadhyanchy 404.
Dahshay 164.
JDdsa, 18, 38, 61, 130,
193.
Dasaspirdy 421.
JDasavraja, 418, 419.
Basonyay 421.
IXDEX OF NAMES.
I Da^dy 24, 164, 167.
I Basyave-vrikay 420, 424,
j 426.
BasyUy 59, 131, 148,
199, 269, 355, 361.
Bevaldy 224.
Bharma, 51.
BJiwasrdy 276.
Birghaniidy 420.
BirghatamaSy 324.
Bivoddsa, 214, 278, 365.
Brilhachyutdy 249, 250.
Bwitdy 92.
Bwita Aptydy 392.
Dyurmilca, 166. *
Byutdnay 182.
Ekadijixy 154, 156.
Etasdy 419.
GandharvaSy 301, 337,
341, 413.
Gdthiny 302.
Gaurivitiy 403.
Gdyatriy 159, 205.
Gomatiy 19.
Gopavandy 139, 141, 143.
Gosarydy 418, 420.
Gotamdy 167, 168, 255,
302, 861.
Grihapatiy 210.
Gritsamada, 342.
JEEdridrmdy 50.
Karimuntdy 318.
BCaryatdy 135.
Hiray^ymHpdy 222, 309.
Idhmavdhdy 250.
Ildy 35, 225.
Induy marly every page,
Indrdy nearly every page,
Indrapramatiy 870.
Indrotdy 122, 123.
FmarUy 406.
Jamadagniy 206, 208,
282, 285, 294, 297,
302, 361, 381.
JdtavedaSy 9, 11, 67, 70,
133, 142.
KadrUy 78.
Kadriiy 79.
KaTcehkvaty 324, 326.
Kaliy 113, 116.
Kanita, 82, 86, 87.
Eanwdy 1, 38, 42, 46,
47, 58, 75, 93, 104,
146, 156, 214, 219,
263, 363, 364, 31
418, 420, 422,
Karnasruty 370,
Xasyaptty 33, 194, y
273, 286, 289, 30 ,
359, 385, 394, 398,
412, 415.
Kaviy 11, 161, 269, 326,
328, 852.
Knsay 424, 427.
KrisdnUy 329.
Kriehridy 163, 164, 166,
*192, 193.
KritayaedBy 403.
KritnUy 153.
KritwaSy 297.
INDEX OE NAMES.
441
Krivi^ 421.
Kurukshetra^ 110, 297,
413.
Kurusuti, 146.
Kusidin, 156.
Kutsa^ 18, 370, 422.
Madhuclichhayidas^ 217.
Maghavan^ 3, 15, 39, 42,
44, 53, 54, 76, 83,
84, 100, 101,102,103,
106, 112, 116, 130,
132, 153, 169, 170,
172, 181, 194, 196,
197, 200, 204, 417,
418, 419, 420, 421,
422, 424.
Mahhay 390.
Mandhdtriy 59, 62.
Mdndhdtriy 59.
Manuy 6, 11, 16, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35,
107,
367,
388,
396,
418,
420,
421.
70.
a.
, 117.
, 370.
JS^aTzvlity 23,
289,
302,
359,
412.
Maruts.
, 3, 16
21,22,27,
28, 29, 30,
32,5]
,53,'
54,
55, 82, 83,
85,
108,
121,
129,
147,
161,
169,
185,
186,
187,
189,
190,
191,
201,
214,
217,
249,
257,
272,
292,
293,
295,
296,
302,
315,
335,
355,
3o8,
368,
379,
401,
406.
YOL.
, V.
Mdtarisivany 307, 421,
423.’
Matsyay 117.
MedMtithiy 38, 197, 219.
Medhyay 421, 422, 425,
426.
Medhydtithiy 42, 43, 263,
265, 418, 420.
Mitray 13, 19, 20, 21,
22, 23, 25, 29, 30, 32,
33, 37, 51, 82, 88, 90,
107,* 138, 160, 186,
206, 207, 228, 279,
293, 315, 335, 340,
344, 356, 358, 379,
381, 383, 387, 391,
401, 406, 421, 422.
MriVikay 370.
Pardvaty 204.
Parjanyay 5, 22, 131,
211, 246, 336.
Paruchchhepay 410.
Parusliniy 141, 144.
Parvata, 131, 394, 395.
Paiirtty 419, 423.
Piivamdha Agniy 298
301, 302, 306.
Pavamdna Piishany 302,
335.
Pavamdna Savitriy 302.
Pavamdna Soma, 217,
225, 266, 283, 284,
286, 294, 298, 302,
303, 307, 817, 328,
etc., etc.
JVdUdka, 68, 60, 61, 63,
65.
Pfahmlia, 87, 388.
Namucliiy 193.
Ndrada, 394, 395,
Nardsamsa, 224.
I^dsatyas, 6, 21, 24, 66,
163, 164, 208, 355.
ITemay 203.
Nidhruviy 286.
Nipatithiy 46, 418, 420.
Niyuts, 183, 209, 354.
Nodha^y 154, 167, 361.
Pavamdna Vdyu, 206[
PavirUy 421.
Pavitra, 302, 821, 336.
I Peduy 355.
! Phalgunyay 156.
j Pipruy 38.
I Pitris, 301, 337.
! Playogay 45.
I PralMvasay 258.
1 Pragatha, 93, 96, 104,
I 113, 135.
j Prajdpatiy 164, ^81, 185,
! 209, 210, S-IO, 338,
■ 388.
Nrimedhay 169, 198,251,
253.
Prashanway 364, 417,
420, *424, 425.
Pajrdy 336.
Paktlxay 7, 418.
Panky 109, 170,2-17 347.
Pardsartty 270.
2 G
Pratardana, 365.
Prayogay 210, 213.
Prisltadhray 421, 425.
Prkhadvdnay 420.
Pnsniy 129, 185, 258
442
INDEX OV NAMES,
Frisni Aja^ 342.
Prithusravas, 82, 86, 87.
PriyamedhaA% 120, 125,
128, 166.
PuTuhariman^ 128, 129.
Pwumedhaj 169.
Purumilka^ 132, 184,
276. '
Purushanti^ 276.
Piishan^ 29, 33, 36, 37,
161, 279, 304, 355,
406, 424.
PushtigUi 418, 420.
PMadaksha^ 185.
P-ktakratdi 425.
Pdhiigam^ 260, 302.
Pdhvgana Gotama, 255.
Pdhhasas, 11, 52, 70,
98, 100, 218, 239,
241, 260, 264, 271.
273, 274, 275, 286,
289, 301, 305, 316,
322, 360, 364, 373,
374, 388, 395, 402,
407, 410.
Peiha, 194, 196, 197.
Pahha&iLnUy 385.
PenUy 313.
Mihhuy 51, 145, 180, 185,
194.
MhhuhJiam, 185.
J^ijilasy 297, 413.
Mijishin, 153, 165, 191.
JRijiswant 383, 403, 418.
Pijiina8^4:2l,
Mihha, 120, 122, 123,
* 142, 144.
Rikvam, 411.
Einanchaya, 403.
Rishabhay 316.
Rudrasy 8, 24, 33, 49,
108, 109, 135, 210,
217, 323, 424.
Rusama, 421.
Sahas, 210 .
SaJcray 39, 113,127,174,
177, 182, 195, 197,
418.
§ahtiy 370, 403.
Samlaray 193, 197, 278.
Sammaday 117.
Samvaramy 388, 420.
Samvartay 424.
SaptavadJiriy 139, 140,
141.
Saralhay 204.
Sarasvatiy 5, 57, 225,
297, 307, 335, 424.
Sargandvaty 110, 297,
413*.
Satakrattc, 44, 45, 53,
* 54, 82, 102, 103, 147,
148, 154, 170, 177,
184, 200, 421, 422.
Savitriy 30, 185, 211,
335, 409.
I Sihata Nivdvaris, 342.
I SihhandiniSy 394.
Sindhiy 383.
Sishf^t 433.
SisUy 412.
Solhariy 1, 5, 8, 214,
217.
Soma, passim.
Sribinday 38.
SrushtigUy 420.
SrutakaJcsha, 175, 179.
Srutarvan, 141, 142,
144.
Sthiirariipay 12.
Sudahshay H6.
Suditiy 132, 134.
Sztkakshay 1 7 5, 1 80.
SuJcritwan, 87.
Sunahsepa, 221 .
Suparmy 205, 426.
Skra, 425.
Siiri/ay 22, 49, 50, 51,
52, 206, 225,413, 425.
Surydy 5, 33.
SiiryapralTidy 206.
Sushdman, 13, 18, 23.
Sushnay 62, 193, 421.
Sushomay 110.
Swetaydvariy 26.
Sydvdswa, 49, 52, 55,
56, 57, 255, 388.
Syumarasmiy 421.
Tanimapdty 224.
Tarantay 276.
Tiraschly 187, 188, 189.
TrasadasyUy 7, 55, 56,
408, 418.
Trihsliiy 7.
Trhohay 75, 79.
Tritay 92, 255, 256, 258,
260, 261, 391, 421.
Trita Aptyay 91, 391.
Try arum, 408.
Tugra. 144.
INDEX OE NAMES.
443
Turvasa^ 79, 27S.
Twashtri, 26, 27, 33,
225, >35.
UcTiathya, 87, 271.
TTh&han, 23.
Upamanyu^ 370.
If rdhasadman, 403.
Wru, 403.
Usanas, 11, 161, 352,
353.
18, 19, 88, 91,
92, 206.
FdcTty 203, 205, 206.
338, 388.
VaiJckdnasas, 298.
Yaiswdnara, 280.
Vaiyyaswa, 13.
Vaja^ 185.
Vajra, 410.
Vanaspat% 225.
Vandana^ 8.
Vapus, 87.
Farw, 13, 18, 19, 24.
Farma, 13, 19, 20, 21,
22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30,
32, 33, 37, 49, 51, 63,
64, 65, 66, 88, 90,
117, 123, 126, 138,
160, 186, 206, 207,
228, 257, 279, 293,
294, -296, 302, 315.
323, 330, 335, 338,
340, 357, 358, 379,
381, 383, 387, 394,
401, 406, 422, 426,
427.
Varurtccha, 409.
Vasa, 86, 88, 419.
Vaszshtlia, 166,302, 357,
361,’ 370, 403.
26, 42, 49,208,210,
306, 332, 334, 424.
Vasvjcra, 370.
VasurocMshas, 46, 48.
Vatasapri^ 307.
Vdtju, 23, 26, 27, 47, 82,
87, 88, 206, 208,210,
212, 225, 228, 236,
249, 251, 257, 267,
268, 279, 286, 287,
288, 296, 305, 315,
335, 338, 340, 346,
354, 376, 379, 381,
406.
Vena^ 339, 341.
Yidadaswa^ 277.
Yidhdtri^ 335.
YimanaSy 164.
Yindu, 185.
YtpdSf 111.
VMpa, 67, 71, 144.
YMndp'k, 165.
Yishnu, 21, 22, 29, 33,
36, 49, 51, 150, 161,
206, 257, 275, 286,
296, 358, 366, 387,
421, 424.
Ytstvadevas, 19, 27, 123,
i26, 160, 203.
Yiswaha, 164, 165.
Yiswammas, 2, 13, 14,
i9, 23.
Yiswdmitm, 217, 302,
sn, 316, 361, 388.
Yiswdnara, 280.
Yivaswaty 27, 33, 34, 35,
58, 119, 140, 161,
232, 414, 421.
Vrihaspati, 225.
Yrishagana^ 370, 372.
Yrtshdgir^ 383.
Yritra, 3, 14, 15, 29,
33, 39, 40, 42, 45, 55,
56,57,75,78, 84, 103,
105, 106, 108, 109,
110, 114, 115, 116,
128, 147, 149, 152,
158, 170, 171. 178,
180, 182, 183, 184,
185, 190, 194, 195,
202, 206, 261, .281,
355, 357, 396, 412,
424.
Yritrahan^ 14.
Yydghrapdd^ 370.
Yyaswa, 2, 11, 12, 13,
1^ 17, 18, 19, 23, 25,
295.
Yaduy 79, 278.
Yama, 119.
Yamundj 192.
YavuhfJia^ 210.
Yaydtiy 388.
Ymmama, 59.